West Brom manager Tony Mowbray
West Brom manager Tony Mowbray

Mowbray axes Johnston in two changes - West Brom predicted XI v Portsmouth

Zak Anderton

Zak is a professional football writer from the UK. He is a Sports Journalism graduate from Leeds Trinity University and has previously worked on websites such as TEAMtalk and Planet Sport. He started working at Breaking Media in June 2024 and covers a range of their club websites.

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Tony Mowbray could axe Mikey Johnstone from his West Brom starting XI for their Championship clash against Portsmouth on Saturday.

The Baggies winger could be replaced in the squad by new arrival Isaac Price who's likely to take a more central role in the squad with Grady Diangana likely to fill the void left on the left wing.

Mason Holgate is the other player who could be dropped for their game against Pompey with the centre-back having a rather poor outing last time out.

In his place could come Caleb Taylor as Kyle Bartley is still sidelined due to injury.

Tony Mowbray could axe Mikey Johnston from his West Brom starting XI

In between the sticks, as has been the case for most of the 2024/25 season will be Alex Palmer, the 'keeper has been a safe pair of hands at the Hawthorns with Alex Wildsmith left warming the bench.

The defence is where Mowbray's first change could come into play with Darnell Furlong and Callum Styles keeping their positions at full-back as Torbjorn Heggem could gain a new partner in Caleb Taylor.

Alex Mowatt and Jayson Molumby are also likely to keep their roles in the starting XI after they put in a decent display against Middlesbrough last time out.

Johnston's absence is the second change that Mowbray could make with Price coming into the team in a number ten role which would allow Tom Fellows to continue occupying his regular role of right-wing and would allow Diangana to use his pace on the left to try and whip the odd cross into the box here and there.

Last but not least, leading the attacking line will be Karlan Grant with the striker the Baggies' best back-up option with Josh Maja currently out injured.

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