As we count down the hours to today’s crucial clash with West Brom, it’s time to predict how we’ll line up when the team sheets are released at 11am.
Keeping injuries, form and last week’s clash with Wolves in mind, here’s the team I think Steve Bruce will go with:
(4-3-3): Dubravka – Krafth, Lascelles, Clark, Dummett – Willock, Hayden, Shelvey – Joelinton, Gayle, Fraser.
Dummett IN, Lewis OUT – With the latter criticised for allowing a cross to get in that led to Wolves’ equaliser last weekend, I would not be at all surprised if Bruce opted for Dummett. He’s been fit again for several weeks now and put in a heroic cameo to help us get over the line against Southampton.
Fraser IN, Saint-Maximin OUT – The Scot must now been given a regular run in the side, being one of few players at the club capable of offering the quality needed in Wilson, ASM and Almiron’s absence. I can see him starting down the left and tasked to be our creative force.
Gayle IN, Almiron OUT – Based on our lack of No 10’s capable of slotting into that Almiron role, I can see us pushing Gayle up and playing more of a 4-3-3 in the Paraguayan’s absence. He’s barely featured of late, but Gayle knows where the back of the net is at The Hawthorns. This tweak could also see Willock play just ahead of Hayden and Shelvey, giving us a player to support the striker, feed the front three and make runs into the box.
With Krafth deemed ’50-50′ for this one, we could see Jacob Murphy fill in at right-back should the Swede miss out, with another option being Isaac Hayden stepping in and one of Hendrick or the Longstaff’s coming into midfield.
How do you see us lining up? Let us know in the comments below!
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