West Brom are back in action on Friday night as they host a resurgent Sheffield United at The Hawthorns.
West Brom come into this Friday’s clash with Sheffield United knowing the pressure is on. Head coach Ryan Mason has been under increasing scrutiny from fans amid a slide down the Championship table.
WBA went unbeaten in their first four Championship games of the campaign, winning three. However, they have claimed just four victories since then, losing nine of the last 16 matches.
Image courtesy of: JASON CAIRNDUFF/REUTERS.
Their most recent defeat came on Tuesday night, as Southampton punished the Baggies for a dismal first-half showing. After going into the break 3-0 down, Mason’s side pulled goals back through Karlan Grant and Nat Phillips, but it was not enough to salvage a result as they lost 3-2.
As for Sheffield United, they come into this one six games unbeaten. A four-game winning streak was halted by a draw with Norwich City on Tuesday, but they’re in confident mood as they head to West Brom.
West Brom team news
Mason has a fairly clean bill of health when it comes to his West Brom squad. They appear to have come through the Southampton trip without any new blows.
Among the existing absentees is Toby Collyer. The loan midfielder is back at Manchester United for treatment on a calf injury and his return will likely come in the New Year.
Image courtesy of: HANNAH MCKAY/REUTERS.
Jed Wallace is also set to remain out through a calf issue of his own. It has kept him out since the middle of October and it awaits to be seen exactly when he will be back in contention for WBA.
Charlie Taylor will be eligible for selection again after sitting out against parent club Southampton. He offers Mason another option at left-back, a spot that Callum Styles has occupied for much of the campaign.
Predicted XI
(4-2-3-1)
Griffiths; Gilchrist, Mepham, Phillips, Styles; Molumby, Mowatt; Johnston, Price, Grant; Heggebo
West Brom fans will be hoping for wholesale changes after another display to forget at Southampton. There could be four alterations from that side.
The first comes in goal. Josh Griffiths has made some costly errors this season but Joe Wildsmith has conceded six goals in two matches since replacing him, so the WBA academy graduate made be reinstated.
Josh Griffiths vs Joe Wildsmith – 2025/26 stats
In defence, Alfie Gilchrist deserves to come in at right-back. Phillips and Chris Mepham will be hoping to put in an improved display after a poor showing against the Saints.
Expect Jayson Molumby to come back into the midfield alongside Alex Mowatt while Mikey Johnston replaces Samuel Iling-Junior on the right. Isaac Price keeps his place, and as one of few to perform positively in midweek, Karlan Grant should keep his spot.
Up top, the in-form Aune Heggebo will be eager to get back on the scoresheet.