Brandon Thomas-Asante axed, Josh Maja starts in four changes – West Brom confirmed XI v Sunderland
Carlos Corberan has made four changes to his West Brom starting XI for Saturday’s (9 December) clash with Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.
Confirming their line-up on the club’s official X account, Josh Maja is brought into the starting line-up for Brandon Thomas-Asante after scoring in last week’s heartbreaking 2-1 home defeat to Leicester City.
With Matt Phillips injuring his hamstring in that game and Okay Yokuslu suspended, Baggies boss Carlos Corberan has brought in John Swift and Jayson Molumby in their place – the latter starting for the first time since September in a surprise decision.
The other change comes in defence with Kyle Bartley returning at the heart of defence to partner Cedric Kipre with Semi Ajayi dropping to the bench. Alex Palmer starts in goal, with Darnell Furlong and Conor Townsend at full-back. Alex Mowatt partners Molumbu in midfield, while Grady Diangana and Jeremy Sarmiento support Swift and Maja in the forward positions.
Time to rebound
Last week was hugely disappointing for Albion, who – having equalised in the 89th minute through Maja – were felled by a last-gasp effort from Harry Winks to fall to a 2-1 defeat at home to Championship leaders Leicester City.
It was a frustrating result in a match where the Baggies proved well capable of mixing it with the best in the division and the onus is on them to rebound at a Sunderland side starting the post-Tony Mowbray era at the Stadium of Light.
The Black Cats have just one win in their past five outings but it is always a tricky time to face a club who have just sacked their manager as players will be chomping at the bit to impress a prospective new manager.
But it is an opportunity nonetheless for West Brom to get back to winning ways and to keep their promotion bid on track. Heading into a typically hectic festive schedule it is imperative West Brom rack up the points before Santa heads down the chimney.
In other West Brom news, Dwight Gayle and Callum Robinson have sent a message to Matt Phillips.