West Brom will be looking to continue their rich vein of form as they aim to close the gap towards Premier League safety when they head to nearby rivals Leicester City this evening.
The Baggies have now won back-to-back games in an emphatic nature, dispatching Europe-chasing Chelsea 5-2 before dismantling Southampton with another three goals last time out.
Prediction for West Brom vs Leicester?
Albion win
Bore draw
Foxes win
Sam Allardyce’s side have had well over a week to recover from that too, so should be fresher than the Foxes, who too come into this on the back of a win over the Saints, knocking them out of the FA Cup semi-finals on Sunday.
So, will the 66-year-old be tempted to tinker a winning formula? Well, here’s our predicted XI along with the latest team and injury news from the Hawthorns camp…
Despite a run of form that has seen the Baggies lose just once in their last four matches, Big Sam could be tempted into two changes from last week’s win.
Following the match, there were injury concerns over skipper Kyle Bartley and Arsenal loanee Ainsley Maitland-Niles, though it appears that both have come through training unscathed this week.
However, with a crucial run-in, it would not be surprised to see the latter given an extra game of rest – or at least from the off – especially as Allardyce has Conor Gallagher at his disposal too.
The Chelsea starlet could slot right in alongside Okay Yokuslu at the base of midfield, with Matheus Pereira playing slightly more advanced.
Bartley, as captain, is likely to start and he could partner Semi Ajayi at the back.
The 27-year-old was an unfortunate casualty of his system change against the Saints. They may be deployed in a back four, so there’s a big call to make on Dara O’Shea. He also doesn’t warrant an absence from the starting XI.
The versatile Irishman may slot across to right-back at the expense of Darnell Furlong whilst Conor Townsend continues on the other side.
Further up the pitch on the wings, we’re expecting the in-form Callum Robinson, who has found the net three times in the last two games, and Matty Phillips to keep their place despite the likes of Karlan Grant and Grady Diangana eager for game time.
Mbaye Diagne should continue to lead the line, too.
AND in other news, Albion dealt double injury blow this week…
