Anthony Onifade

Wed 8 February 2023 7:10, UK

West Bromwich Albion will be looking to cement their place in the Championship play-off places when they take on West Midlands rivals Birmingham City at St Andrew’s on Friday night [11 February].

The Baggies returned to winning ways after back-to-back defeats to both Burnley and Bristol City in the league and FA Cup respectively when they triumphed 1-0 against their other rivals Coventry City last Friday thanks to a Grady Diangana strike.

After a scintillating start under Carlos Corberan, the Baggies’ form has hit the rocks a bit after those two consecutive defeats, undergoing a tremendous six-match unbeaten run which included four consecutive Championship victories.

It was mightily important the Baggies returned to winning ways Coventry and thanks to Diangana’s 15th-minute strike, the club jumped up to sixth in the table on 44 points after 29 games and continued their stunning home form, now winning six in a row.

However, the club may well not be entering this engrossing derby contest in any joyous mood, following the continuous links [Daily Mail, 7 February] between boss Carlos Corberan the vacant managerial post at his old club Leeds United, where he worked with the under-21 setup and under Marcelo Bielsa’s wing between 2017 – 2020.

If reports are to be proved true, the Baggies could well enter this contest managerless which could come as a huge blow to their stark progression and a chance of a much-needed return to the Premier League next season.

Despite all the rumours, Corberan will still be expected to have most of his attention dedicated to this huge crunch derby clash against 18th-placed local neighbours Birmingham City.

And following last Friday night’s success against Coventry on home soil, the Spaniard could be tempted to field the same line-up that started that game.

The Baggies were hit with the news that no.1 goalkeeper Alex Palmer could be out for at least six weeks, following a knee injury, but David Button who lost his starting spot to the 26-year-old earlier this season was impressive against Coventry keeping his second clean sheet of the season.

The back four should remain the same against Birmingham with Furlong, O’Shea, Pieters and Townsend forming a formidable and indestructive back-line since Corberan’s arrival.

The midfield again picks itself although new January signing Nathaniel Chalobah could well be itching for his first start in Albion colours, but Yokuslu and Molumby are undergoing a tremendous partnership in the middle of the park and that should continue at St Andrew’s.

Albrighton was impressive in his full debut for the Baggies, before being replaced by John Swift in the second half, but could well be rewarded with another start as his experience proves crucial in what will be a pivotal run of games in the coming weeks.

Corberan will have a decision to make regarding Jed Wallace and John Swift, with the former bagging an assist last week for Diangana’s goal, which could sway the manager’s decision in his favour.

Diangana should keep his spot on the left flank for the Baggies, but the one major headache for Corberan would be who starts up front out of Darly Dike and Brandon Thomas-Asante.

The Spaniard is likely to swing towards Dike despite his three-game barren run in front of goal but whoever starts will be tasked with the huge responsibility of firing the team to a morale-boosting derby day triumph.

In other West Brom news, Albion pulled the plug on a late loan signing on deadline day.