Two wins and a draw in four games so far means West Bromwich Albion are in the playoff spots in the early stages of the league. Confidence will be high after the Baggies smashed seven goals past a hapless QPR side.
Darren Moore’s side next take on another in-form side, Middlesbrough, away from home and it’s going to be a fascinating game to watch.
West Brom are without defender Craig Dawson who has a thigh strain but is closing in on making a first-team return.
Belgian international Nacer Chadli, currently out due to a hamstring injury, is tipped to depart before 31st August amid interest from abroad.
Defence
Custodian Sam Johnstone has completed a permanent summer switch to West Midlands from Manchester United and has replaced veteran Ben Foster in goal.
Moore started the season with a ‘back four’ that did not work out well but the team seems to have found the rhythm since switching to a 3-4-1-2 set-up. Dawson’s injury has handed Tosin Adarabioyo, the Manchester City loanee, a regular role down the right-hand side of West Brom’s back three.
Summer signing Kyle Bartley is enjoying a decent run in a left centre-back role and could continue there. Egyptian defender Ahmed Hegazy has been retained successfully and will feature in the middle of their three-man backline.
Midfield
The dynamic Matt Phillips is enjoying a blistering spell so far having netted thrice in four league encounters that includes a brace against QPR on Saturday afternoon. He is being deployed in a right wing-back role to provide cover in the defensive third when required.
West Brom’s central midfield was lacking composure in the early fixtures but has now found more stability through Jake Livermore and Chris Brunt who could continue in midfield after impressing against QPR.
Kieran Gibbs is featuring in a similar role to that of Phillips, but on the opposite flank, and also found the back of the net last weekend in that thumping 7-1 triumph. Young Leicester City prodigy Harvey Barnes has been a revelation already having mustered two league goals and will start in the number 10 role.
Attack
Jay Rodriguez has been in majestic form and has netted a brace in each of the last two games against Norwich City and QPR.
Loan recruit Dwight Gayle (from Newcastle United) also found the back of the net last weekend.
Moore has decent alternatives in Hal Robson-Kanu and Oliver Burke who have also been impressive in the limited game time they’ve received so far.
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