High-flying West Bromwich Albion will be looking to return to the top of the Championship and add more misery to Stoke City on Monday night. The Potters are currently without a manager after parting ways with Nathan Jones on Friday. After just six wins in 38 games in charge, they are languishing at the foot of the table.
West Bromwich Albion Look to Add More Misery to Stoke City
Potential Banana Skin
West Brom will be keen to capitalise on Stoke’s struggles as they look to regain their place at the top of the league. Slaven Bilić’s side have lost just once this season and were unbeaten until October when they were marginally beaten by Leeds United at Elland Road. Since that solitary defeat, the Baggies have gone four unbeaten.
Albion’s good form has somewhat slowed in recent weeks with back to back home draws against promoted sides Barnsley and Charlton Athletic. Struggling Stoke should’ve been the perfect opportunity for West Brom to return to winning ways. However, recent managerial changes make the Potters somewhat unpredictable and a potential banana skin.
The Fearsome Attack of West Bromwich Albion
West Brom possess a fearsome attack and could run riot against a Stoke City side struggling to keep the opposition out. Grady Diangana and Matheus Pereira have excelled so far this season. It will likely be the midfield players that cause Stoke the most problems.
Both players are on loan at West Brom this season but there is an option to buy in the Pereira deal and it’s an option that excites Albion fans. The midfielder has been involved in eight goals in nine Championship starts for West Brom – three goals, five assists. He is stylish and classy on the ball with many finding it hard to believe that the tricky Brazilian is not playing at a higher level.
The silky playmaker has blended beautifully into a midfield that has Jake Livermore and Romaine Sawyers pulling the strings in the centre. Pereira, along with Diangana and Matt Phillips, provide the venom going forward. With players such as Filip Krovinovic and Kyle Edwards available from the bench, Albion’s midfield is stacked and it has proven its worth on plenty of occasions already this season.
Team News
Stoke have fitness concerns over Peter Etebo and Tom Edwards. Ryan Shawcross is still out with a long-term injury after the Potters captain fractured his foot in July. West Brom are without Nathan Ferguson following the full-back’s sending-off against Charlton. Kieran Gibbs could return after suffering a broken toe, but it will likely be Conor Townsend at left-back.
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