Semi Ajayi and Jason Molumby axed – Predicted West Brom XI v Swansea City
Following an all-important victory over Leeds United last time out, West Brom could convert to a more conventional starting XI versus Swansea City.
Grady Giangana scored the only goal in a 1-0 win at The Hawthorns as Daniel Farke’s Leeds side registered one shot on target amid a brilliant team performance from the Baggies.
Amidst such a hectic winter period, Carlos Corberan will be expected to make changes but it will be a difficult task after one of their most important victories of the season.
Having started all 25 of West Brom’s Championship matches this season, Alex Palmer is unlikely to be dropped from the goalkeeper position. Only having to make one save against Leeds, the 27-year-old should be fresh and ready.
Despite a late yellow card, Cedric Kipre impressed on Friday night, making five blocks, four clearances and two interceptions, while maintaining a passing accuracy of 97 per cent – the highest of any player to play 45 minutes or more. [FotMob]
Instead, Semi Ajayi could drop to the bench, with Kyle Bartley returned to the lineup. He was among the substitutes for just the seventh time this season and could be back in contention for the Swansea match.
Conor Townsend was awarded Man of the Match, as per FotMob, for his performance against Wilfried Gnonto and Dan James, winning the most tackles in the game (4) and winning 70 per cent of his ground duels. It would be difficult to see the left-back replaced against the Swans.
Darnell Furlong could maintain his record of not missing a single league game during the 2023/24 campaign, appearing as a substitute in two of the Baggies’ 25 matches.
Okay Yokuslu and Alex Mowatt have formed an unbreakable bond in the centre of midfield and are likely to continue that, similar to the likes of Ethan Ampadu and Glen Kamara for Leeds, Harry Winks and Wilfried Ndidi for Leicester City, and Ipswich Town’s Sam Morsy and Massimo Luongo.
However, the midfield could be set for a change. John Swift could make his 13th league start of the campaign after a decent impact off the bench against the Whites on Friday, replacing Jason Molumby.
As the winning goalscorer against Leeds, Diangana is expected to maintain his starting position on the left, with Jed Wallace supporting on the right wing.
Carlos Corberan continues to be without Josh Maja and Daryl Dike, so Brandon Thomas-Asante is likely to remain in the starting XI, hoping to build on three goals in his last six matches.
In other West Brom news, Corberan has shared an update on Daryl Dike’s fitness ahead of the turn of the new year.