---
title: "West Bromwich Albion: Predicted XI to face Chelsea"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/west-bromwich-albion-predicted-xi-to-face-chelsea/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Liam Togher"
section: "Premier League"
published: "2020-09-26T07:00:52Z"
modified: "2020-09-26T07:00:52Z"
---

# West Bromwich Albion: Predicted XI to face Chelsea

**West Brom are seeking their [first Premier League points](https://www.skysports.com/premier-league-table) of the season when they host Chelsea at The Hawthorns this evening.**

Heavy defeats to [Leicester and Everton](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/west-bromwich-albion/spielplandatum/verein/984), preceded by the [midweek Carabao Cup exit to Brentford](https://www.skysports.com/football/w-brom-vs-brentford/438434), have made for a difficult start to the campaign for the Baggies, who face a Blues side that [spent more than £220m on new signings](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/fc-chelsea/transfers/verein/631/saison_id/2020) over the summer.

[Slaven Bilic](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/championship/west-brom/quiz-slaven-bilic-first-year-west-brom-manager/) will hope for a more placid game than the one which saw him [sent off by Mike Dean](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11698/12079687/west-brom-boss-slaven-bilic-fined-8000-by-fa-over-everton-incident) at Goodison Park last week, but the Albion manager could have to contend without several players for today’s clash.

Kenneth Zohore ([injured](https://www.premierinjuries.com/injury-table.php)), Kieran Gibbs ([suspended](https://www.whoscored.com/Matches/1485212/Preview/England-Premier-League-2020-2021-West-Bromwich-Albion-Chelsea)) and Conor Gallagher ([ineligible to face parent club](https://www.whoscored.com/Matches/1485212/Preview/England-Premier-League-2020-2021-West-Bromwich-Albion-Chelsea)) are all confirmed absentees. On top of that, the trio of Ahmed Hegazi, Kamil Grosicki and Hal Robson-Kanu all face late fitness tests on various injury problems to determine whether they will be available to feature (as per [premierinjuries.com](https://www.premierinjuries.com/injury-table.php))

Our predicted West Brom line-up for this evening’s game shows [nine changes from the Brentford match](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/spielbericht/index/spielbericht/3451683) as Bilic recalls many of his big guns:

![](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/lineup-2-1.png)

**Sam Johnstone** will return in goals [in place of David Button](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/spielbericht/index/spielbericht/3451683), with left-back **Conor Townsend** and centre-back **Branislav Ivanovic** the [only men to keep their places from midweek](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/spielbericht/index/spielbericht/3451683). The latter, who [joined West Brom earlier this month](https://www.wba.co.uk/news/branislav-ivanovic-joins-albion), is in line to make his [league debut for the Baggies](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/branislav-ivanovic/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/36827/verein/984) against his [former club](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/branislav-ivanovic/leistungsdatenverein/spieler/36827).

The veteran Serbia international could be part of a three-man back-line along with **Semi Ajayi** and **Dara O’Shea** as Bilic reverts to the 5-4-1 formation that he has [used in both Premier League games](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/west-bromwich-albion/spielplandatum/verein/984) so far this term. **Darnell Furlong** is also set for a recall at right wing-back [in place of Lee Peltier](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/spielbericht/index/spielbericht/3451683).

[As per usual](https://www.whoscored.com/Teams/175/Archive/England-West-Bromwich-Albion), the central midfield duo is likely to be **Jake Livermore** and **Romaine Sawyers**, with a wide duo of **Grady Diangana** and **Matheus Pereira**, their [two scorers in the defeat at Everton](https://www.skysports.com/football/everton-vs-w-brom/report/428850) a week ago. Even if Grosicki is fit enough to feature, he would probably have to settle for a place on the bench.

**Callum Robinson** is [awaiting his first league goal of the season](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/callum-robinson/leistungsdaten/spieler/183299) but is likely to get the nod at centre-forward again, having [started both league games so far](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/callum-robinson/leistungsdaten/spieler/183299) and with Robson-Kanu an injury doubt. Bilic will hope to at least have the Welshman in his squad, though, after his [two goals against Brentford](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/spielbericht/index/spielbericht/3451683).

***West Brom fans, is this the line-up that you expect to see this evening? Join in the discussion by commenting below!***