View: West Brom predicted XI vs Bristol City
Steve Bruce is expected to be brave with his West Brom team selection against Bristol City after the team suffered a few availability issues ahead of the game.
The Baggies earned a huge 1-0 win over league leaders Fulham to move within six points of the playoff places, and travel to Ashton Gate on Saturday afternoon to keep their momentum going.
But manager Bruce admitted that the camp had been hit by illness since the game and injuries could see him make some changes to the side.
Goalkeeper Sam Johnstone has been battling illness this week but Bruce is expectant that he will be available and as such will make the bold call for him to start the game
After three positive results in a row it’s unlikely that the manager will change the defence around unless absolutely necessary.
Darnell Furlong and Conor Townsend have been solid in the wing-back positions this season and have cemented themselves as the first-choice options in those roles, so should start here once again.
In the centre Kyle Bartley and Matthew Clarke have kept their place despite Valerien Ismael’s departure in February, but the new boss has found a place for Semi Ajayi and he has been excellent since coming in.
Ahead of them in midfield, the run of good results has coincided with the return of captain Jake Livermore in a more holding role and he will continue there for this big game.
Ahead of him, Bruce could look to freshen things up. Alex Mowatt was a slight doubt for the draw with Huddersfield last week but played in that game and against Fulham, but Bruce could look to give him a rest.
Jayson Molumby started four games in a row during Bruce’s tenure early so he could come into the side for some minutes, alongside the stand-out performer of the team Taylor Gardner-Hickman.
In attack, Andy Carroll has been impressive since joining from Reading in January but he is a doubt with a minor knock so Karlan Grant is likely to be partnered by Callum Robinson once again.
It was Robinson’s winner against Fulham so Bruce may have been tempted to keep him in anyway, but there’s not much choice now although Daryl Dike will be on the bench for the game.
Predicted West Brom XI: Johnstone; Furlong, Ajayi, Bartley, Clarke, Townsend; Livermore, Molumby, Gardner-Hickman; Grant, Robinson.
In other West Brom news, Sky Sports pundit predicts result of West Brom clash v Bristol City