The final Championship matchup of the week will see West Bromwich Albion travel to the CBS Arena to play Coventry City.
Despite some injury concerns, the Baggies have three wins in their last five league games, giving them positive momentum and the knowledge that victory will propel them back into the top six.
Carlos Corberan’s team has kept five clean sheets in their last six games, so they will be hoping to maintain a strong defence this evening to add more points to the score.
We at Football League World have predicted the starting lineup for the West Midlands encounter between WBA and us tonight.
GK: Alex Palmer
Alex Palmer, who has played every minute of league action this season under Corberan, opens the lineup between the posts.
Considering the recent spate of clean sheets obtained, it doesn’t appear necessary to alter the goalkeeping staff.
RWB: Darnell Furlong
Darnell Furlong, another player who has established himself as a first-team regular since Corberan’s arrival, leads the defence.
The former QPR player, who has made just 13 appearances this season and only managed one goal and one assist, will be looking for a surge of attacking returns.
CB: Caleb Taylor
Caleb Taylor takes Cedric Kipre’s place on the right side of defence in the first lineup change following the victory over QPR.
The latter suffered a knee injury in the middle of the week, but Corberan’s confirmation that it was not as serious as initially believed allayed concerns. But the Ivorian is still doubtful for tonight’s match, which presents a fantastic chance for Albion academy graduate Taylor to start in a league game for the first time ever as he looks to build on a strong League One campaign with Cheltenham Town.
CB: Kyle Bartley
Kyle Bartley, who forced his way back into the team in late September, is the focal point of the backline and a regular starter.
In an attempt to add an aerial threat from set pieces against a physically strong Coventry defence, the 32-year-old believes that he can help the team secure three more points.
CB: Erik Pieters
Erik Pieters, an accomplished defender who plays central defence instead of his natural position of left back, completes the back three.
The former Stoke City player is expected to be a constant in the team to keep the balance between the three central defenders because the Dutchman is the only left-footed defender in the lineup.
LWB: Matt Phillips
On the left flank comes Matt Phillips, who enters his eighth season with the Black Country outfit.
CM: Nathaniel Chalobah
Nathaniel Chalobah, who has put on a number of strong recent displays that seem to have revived his Albion career, leads the midfield tandem.
The 28-year-old, who joined from Fulham in January, hasn’t exactly been a fan favourite, but he’s started to show his potential. Against QPR, he went on an incredible solo run that set up Grady Diangana for the second goal that won the game. After being substituted against the Rs, Chalobah was met with a standing ovation, and he appears eager to make an impression again.
CM: Alex Mowatt
Alex Mowatt, who was replaced in midweek by Okay Yokuslu, is returning to the midfield.
The midfielder, who was born in Doncaster, had to wait his turn for a starting position in the blue and white shirt, but he made his debut with five straight starts before the QPR match. Games are coming up quickly, so Yokuslu might get a break and Mowatt take his place.
AM: Jed Wallace
Club captain Jed Wallace, who has been without a goal for some time, is assisting the striker.
The former Millwall player is hardly the creative force he once was in the second division, having scored just one goal in 13 league games. Wallace needs to be producing attacking returns as soon as possible to keep his spot in the starting lineup, as young prospect Tom Fellows is vying with him for it after impressive cameos off the bench.
AM: Grady Diangana
Wallace will be partnered in the attacking third by Grady Diangana, who last Tuesday against QPR changed the game. To top off an incredible evening, the Congolese international scored the second goal and won a penalty, demonstrating his ability to be a useful player in the Championship. After winning Player of the Match, Diangana ought to be among the first players listed on the team sheet for this evening’s match.
ST: Brandon Thomas-Asante
With Josh Maja and Daryl Dike out with injuries, Brandon Thomas-Asante completes the starting lineup as the only senior striker still available for the Baggies.
After Thomas-Asante scored a penalty against QPR to snap an eight-game goalless streak, the 24-year-old felt a weight lifted off his shoulders. Fans of Albion will be hoping that Thomas-Asante can build on his goal and score enough goals consistently to keep the team in the running for the play-offs. Given his limited options, Corberan—a former Salford City player—should once again lead the line.
