West Brom predicted XI vs QPR: Townsend starts, Morrison forced to bench in-form attacker

West Bromwich Albion will look to stay top of the Championship with a win over Queens Park Rangers on Saturday.

Albion host the Hoops at The Hawthorns this weekend in an early top-of-the-table clash between two solid Championship outfits.

Both sides have started the campaign well, as the Baggies are coming into this one on the back of breaking their 23-year Pride Park curse after beating Derby County 1-0 on Wednesday.

QPR were held to a 0-0 draw against Charlton Athletic during the week, and will be hoping to extend their unbeaten run away from home.

James Morrison will have a selection dilemma in several areas, particularly in the right-back position after Nolan Galves' knee injury and Brayann Pereira's suspension.

Julien Stephan will have his own injury issues to worry about, while West Brom may have to shuffle things up against their London opposition.

James Morrison to hand summer signing his first league start

Morrison will hope to avoid disrupting his side's winning momentum too much, even though some changes may need to be made.

But Max O'Leary will most likely keep his place between the sticks, while Nat Phillips and George Campbell are predicted to keep their strong centre-back partnership going against QPR.

After making his debut against Derby, Pereira will have to be replaced, and that could see Callum Styles moved over to the right-back position, with Galves also set for the sidelines.

This may allow Conor Townsend to make his first league start for Albion since returning to the club earlier this summer.

The 33-year-old came on at left-back against Derby and looks to be the only indirect senior solution to the current right-back issue.

But the defensive change could have an effect on Morrison's chosen attackers.

Harry Whitwell to be sacrificed for solidity vs QPR

Harry Whitwell has been in top form this season for West Brom, but may have to be sacrificed due to Styles potentially playing out of position behind him on the right.

That said, the teenager could drop out, with Jayson Molumby possibly moving back over to right midfield to help out with defensive responsibilities.

Whitwell's absence may give Albion less of an attacking edge in the contest, but more overall balance, but the Englishman would still be an option off the bench if needed.

This could allow Rabby Nzingoula to come back into the side to partner Ousmane Diakite in the middle of the park.

Attacking trio Isaac Price, Aune Heggebo and Jimmy-Jay Morgan are all predicted to keep their respective places in Morrison's starting eleven, with a potential total of two changes from the side that beat Derby.

West Brom predicted XI vs QPR: O'Leary; Townsend, Phillips, Campbell, Styles; Price, Nzingoula, Diakite, Molumby; Morgan, Heggebo