West Brom predicted XI v QPR – Josh Maja call made, only one new signing
Carlos Corberan has plenty of deliberating to do ahead of West Brom kicking off their new Championship season against Queens Park Rangers in a little over a week’s time.
The Baggies surprised many last season by finishing fifth in the Championship, before losing 3-1 to Southampton over two legs in the play-off semi-finals.
Corberan has had plenty to deal with since the curtain came down on the 2023-24 campaign some 11 weeks ago, not least the loss of some key first-team regulars.
Okay Yokuslu, Brandon Thomas-Asante and Conor Townsend have all departed this week to help balance the books, while Ousmane Diakite, Torbjorn Heggem, Devante Cole and Paddy McNair are among those to have come in, the latter on loan.
Albion could potentially have a new look to them against QPR on 10 August, then, although it is more likely that Corberan will ease many of the new faces in and go with his tried and trusted – those who remain, at least.
West Brom News predicts the starting line-up that Corberan could go with at Loftus Road, with just one of those aforementioned new signings selected.
Alex Palmer staying is a huge boost for West Brom
For all the talk of players Albion lost over the summer, key man Alex Palmer remains and will once again be Corberan’s go-to man between the sticks, even accounting for the arrival of Joe Wildsmith on a free contract.
Darnell Furlong started 46 games for the Baggies last season and looks good value to pick up from where he left off at right-back on the opening weekend, but there is a question mark over who starts on the opposite flank.
Townsend’s exit has left a berth to be filled, and it is one that new recruit Heggem could slot into – for now, at least. While Heggem is more accustomed to playing at centre-back, Corberan has Kyle Bartley and Semi Ajayi to call upon in that department.
Yokuslu may have gone, but Alex Mowatt and Jayson Molumby remain at The Hawthorns, as does the injured Grady Diangana, and are reliable options in the engine room, with competition provided by Diakite in particular.
Tom Fellows can push on at West Brom this season
Further forward, the attacking midfield also has a familiar look to it as Jed Wallace, John Swift and Tom Fellows – an exciting talent who will hopefully take another step forward this season now that Mikey Johnston has gone – appear the three favourites to get the nod off the central striker.
There is a debate to be had over whether the returning Karlan Grant is brought back into the fold, having been handed starts in pre-season, and there is also new recruit Devante Cole who will be raring to go.
However, it could well be that Josh Maja is selected to lead the line by Corberan for the time being now that Thomas-Asante is gone, but that area is certainly one that could look different come the end of the month.
For now, let’s hope the XI selected by Corberan in West London – and indeed those brought on from the bench – help Albion get off to the perfect start with all three points.
In other West Brom news, tributes have been paid following the passing of former Baggies player and coach Craig Shakespeare.
For more West Brom news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.