View: West Brom predicted XI vs Birmingham City
Steve Bruce could look to shuffle his defence to find some more solidity as West Brom travel to take on Birmingham in a Midlands derby this weekend.
The Baggies extended their unbeaten run to four last time out, as they earned a late 2-2 draw with Bristol City to all but end their playoff hopes for the season.
But with a big local derby coming up this weekend, victory remains the goal and the boss could look to shuffle the team slightly in order to give himself the best chance of all three points.
Sam Johnstone was forced to withdraw from international duty after earning a late call-up, but he is expected to be fit to start on Sunday.
Bruce has opted for a three centre-back system for most of his good run and is likely to stick with that here, but he could switch up the personnel for this game.
Kyle Bartley is an automatic starter in the middle, while Semi Ajayi has seen an impressive resurgence under this manager since he came in during the second half of the season so should also keep his place.
Dara O’Shea though could get himself a rare start this season having been out of the side since his injury, stepping in ahead of Matthew Clarke in the third centre-back role.
At wing-back Darnell Furlong and Connor Townsend have been excellent on both flanks and should both continue in those roles, with captain Jake Livermore in a holding midfield role between them.
Slightly ahead of him the Baggies are likely to go with trusted duo Alex Mowatt and youngster Taylor Gardner-Hickman who have shone in this system and been influential in the good play in both halves of the pitch.
In attack Daryl Dike has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a knee injury, but Andy Carroll is fit again after missing the draw with Bristol City.
Bruce is likely to continue with Karlan Grant and Callum Robinson as a duo however, considering their good form as a partnership and individually.
Predicted West Brom XI v Birmingham: Johnstone; O’Shea, Bartley, Ajayi; Furlong, Livermore, Mowatt, Gardner-Hickman, Townsend; Grant, Robinson.
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