Predicted West Brom XI to face Aston Villa in the EFL Championship Playoffs

West Brom suffered a narrow 2-1 victory at the hands of Midlands rivals Aston Villa in the first leg of the semi-finals of the EFL Championship Playoffs on Saturday.

Dwight Gayle’s opener gave the Baggies an early lead in the tie but two second-half goals from Conor Hourihane and Tammy Abraham ensured that Villa go into the second leg at Hawthorns with a slender advantage.

West Brom once again go toe-to-toe with Aston Villa in the second leg at home on Wednesday and James Shan’s side would need to overturn the deficit to earn the ticket to Wembley for the playoff finals.

Team News

James Shan has plenty of thinking to do ahead of the second leg at Hawthorns on Wednesday. Star striker Dwight Gayle is suspended after being sent off in the first leg while Craig Dawson is also unlikely to feature on Wednesday after having to leave the field with an illness at Villa Park.

Chris Brunt is struggling with a calf problem after the first leg while Stefan Johansen is also facing a similar issue.

Formation: 3-4-3

Manager: James Shan

Predicted XI

1. Sam Johnstone (GK)

He was hardly at fault for either of the goals in the first leg and has always been a reliable presence between the sticks for the Baggies this season.

2. Tyrone Mears (RCB)

The 36-year-old came on for the injured Craig Dawson on Saturday and he might continue in that role if Dawson doesn’t recover in time.

3. Ahmed Hegazy (LCB)

Strong in the air and a dominant presence inside the box, the Egyptian international was arguably the pick of West Brom’s backline against Villa in the last game.

4. Kyle Bartley (CB)

He had a good game at the back on Saturday and has been an ever-present for the Baggies in the Championship this season. There’s no reason why he should be benched for this one.

5. Mason Holgate (RWB)

The Everton loanee had a tough time dealing with Anwar El Ghazi in the first leg but he did a good job on the whole and should retain his place.

6. Kieran Gibbs (LWB)

The former Arsenal man gifted Villa the penalty with a foul on Grealish which eventually led to Tammy Abraham’s winner but the Baggies will need him to improve significantly on Wednesday.

7. Stefan Johansen (CM)

The Fulham loanee worked very hard without much results in the first leg but he will be expected to offer a bit more to the attack this time around.

8. James Morrison (CM)

He came on as a late substitute for Johansen in the last game but Shan might just hand him a start for this one if Chris Brunt is unable to start due to his calf problem.

9. Jacob Murphy (LW)

The Newcastle loanee offered next to nothing after coming off the bench in the first leg but he is likely to start in Gayle’s absence and West Brom have reason to expect a lot more from him.

10. Matt Phillips (RW)

He worked hard without much end product in the first leg and that needs to change if West Brom are to make it to the finals.

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11. Jay Rodriguez (ST)

He is West Brom’s most prolific man in the absence of Gayle and the onus will be on him to deliver the goods in front of goal on Wednesday after striking the crossbar in the first leg.