Nathaniel Chalobah and Marc Albrighton axed, Grady Diangana returns- West Brom confirmed XI vs Middlesbrough
Carlos Corberan’s West Brom starting XI for their crucial Sky Bet Championship clash with Middlesbrough has been confirmed by the club.
The Baggies’ playoff charge has taken a huge dent in recent weeks, going three games without a win, losing two of them with the latest coming against Watford in a 3-2 defeat at Vicarage Road on Monday.
Ahead of what should be an intriguing and engrossing contest at the Hawthorns, Corberan will be looking for a reaction from his side against a rampant Middlesbrough side sitting third in the table.
As confirmed on Twitter prior to kick-off, Corberan has decided to make three changes with Daryl Dike, Jayson Molumby and Grady Diangana replacing Brandon Thomas-Asante, Marc Albrighton and Nathaniel Chalobah who drop to the bench from the 3-2 defeat against Watford.
Must-win
With the Baggies faltering in recent weeks, failing to win any of their last three league games and sitting five points outside the Championship playoff places, this contest is a must-win game for Corberan and his men.
However, the club will be coming up against a rampant and high-flying Middlesbrough side performing tremendously under Michael Carrick since his appointment.
While the Baggies have struggled on the road of late, their home form remains in tip-top fettle under Corberan having not tasted defeat at the Hawthorns since October – a dreaded destination for away sides this season.
The club are slowly losing track in their playoff charge and looking unidentical to the side that rampaged towards the Championship top six before the turn of the year. Also, there will be planned protests after the game from Action for Albion against the club ownership.
If the club are to regain their mojo and confidence whilst maintaining a fairly short distance from the playoff places then they’d need to put their all in and topple Carrick’s dangerous Middlesbrough side this afternoon.
In other West Brom news, Bilic has shared his verdict on Corberan after Watford’s win over the Albion.