With the international break done and dusted, the 2019-20 Championship campaign will resume once again and tomorrow, West Bromwich Albion will make a trip to the Craven Cottage as they are due to face Fulham.
The Baggies, under the tutelage of Slaven Bilic, are yet to lose this season. They have collected 12 points from their 6 league fixtures so far and are currently fourth in the Championship standings.
West Bromwich Albion Team News
Kieran Gibbs has returned to training following his groin injury. However, Bilic might refrain from rushing him into the starting lineup this weekend. Conor Townsend has been ruled out of the match and he is expected to be back in training next week.
Ahmed Hegazi has not played since his ankle operation after the African Cup of Nations. It is still too early for the defender to get back into the scheme of things.
Predicted West Brom Lineup Vs Fulham (4-2-3-1)
Defence
Sam Johnstone is seemingly likely to start between the sticks as usual. The custodian will be up against Aleksandar Mitrovic who is in a rich vein of form at the moment.
Bilic could trust the assured central defensive pairing of Semi Ajayi and Kyle Bartley once again.
Bartley, in particular, has been impressive so far this campaign. After 6 league games, he averages 1.2 tackles, 1.2 interceptions and 4.3 clearances per game.
Meanwhile, Darnell Furlong and Nathan Ferguson could get the nod to start as the full-backs. Their industry down the flanks would once again be crucial for Albion.
Midfield
Jake Livermore and Romaine Sawyers could start in the central midfield in the West Brom lineup. They will have to assert themselves on the proceedings and not cede too much ground to the strong Fulham midfield.
During the clash against Blackburn Rovers before the international break, Livermore made 3 tackles and also scored a goal for his side and is in decent form.
Matheus Pereira could get the green light to start as the central attacking midfielder. He bagged a couple of assists against Rovers and thoroughly deserves to be in the starting XI.
Attack
While Matt Phillips should keep his place on the right-wing in the West Brom lineup, Grady Diangana, who had a sore throat last week, should be fit enough to start on the left.
Diangana has been a livewire in the final third for the Throstles, having already scored 3 goals in 4 league outings, and will be an instrumental figure this weekend.
Up top, Kenneth Zohore could be picked by Bilic ahead of Charlie Austin as the latter has not yet found his scoring boots.
Statistics Credits: WhoScored