Jed Wallace axed, Jeremy Sarmiento to make first start – West Brom predicted XI v Millwall
Jeremy Sarmiento could make his first start for West Brom as part of two changes when they face Millwall on Saturday (23 September).
The Ecuadorian winger, who joined the club on loan from Brighton over the summer, has featured eight times for the Baggies off the bench and he is predicted to replace captain Jed Wallace after he has been heavily involved at the start of this season.
The 21-year-old could be joined in the team by midfielder Alex Mowatt ahead of Jayson Molumby as part of two changes from the side that drew 2-2 at Watford on Wednesday (20 September), with Carlos Corberan looking to freshen things up in the middle of the park against the Lions at the Hawthorns.
Speaking to BirminghamLive on Wednesday before the trip to Vicarage Road, the Albion boss revealed that the duo would feature from the start in one of the two games this week.
“Mowatt is ready,” said Corberan. “He could play Wednesday or the next game, but I think probably he will play one of the next two games in the first XI. He’s a player who is very useful. He is a player who brings something different from all the players that we have.
“If Sarmiento doesn’t start against Watford, he will start against Millwall. He can start in Watford, too. Now arrives the moment where he is going to be a starting player in one of the next games because the team needs this.
“When you are playing many games in a row, you are going to need the freshness, especially when you don’t have a lot of days between games.”
With just those two changes, that means Alex Palmer will once again start in goal and the back three will be comprised of Erik Pieters, Cedric Kipre and Semi Ajayi.
They will be keen to register their first clean sheet at the Hawthorns this season after shipping six goals in the opening three home games.
Darnell Furlong and Matt Phillips will get the nod again in the wing-back positions as they look to provide an important outlet going forward, knowing that they have reasonable solidity behind them.
Mowatt will partner Okay Yokuslu in midfield against Millwall for what will be his first start in the league this season after featuring five times off the bench.
Sarmiento will come into the team on the right-hand side of the attack to hand Wallace a breather, while John Swift will continue in his role coming in off the left.
Brandon Thomas-Asante will lead the line once again, as he is now the only recognised forward who is fit following the injury to Josh Maja, with the striker tasked with scoring the goals to fire Albion up the table.
In other West Brom news, Jim White has shared an admission on the club’s financial situation.