West Brom manager Darren Moore is not expected to make any change of personnel when his side travel up to the North East to play Tony Pulis’ Middlesbrough at the Riverside on Friday night.
However Moore is likely to revert back to a 4-4-2 formation as the three-at-the-back system he used to destroy QPR 7-1 last week could be exposed by a team with more quality like Boro.
Craig Dawson, who is yet to make a matchday squad this season since reportedly handing in a transfer request earlier in the summer, could be back on the bench after appearing in West Brom’s official squad photo this week, while Nacer Chadli could also be involved to some degree but not in the starting line-up.
Starting in goals, Sam Johnstone is pretty much nailed-on to start over Boaz Myhill having appeared in all Championship games so far this season.
The back-four is likely to be similar to the one that drew with Nottingham Forest a few weeks ago, with Tosin Adarabioyo at right-back now that Allan Nyom has left on loan, Kyle Bartley and Ahmed Hegazi at centre-back, and Kieran Gibbs on the left.
Dawson, who is earning £40,000-a-week according to statistics website Spotrac, is also likely to return to the bench for this game because the Baggies have no other back-up options at right-back or centre-back if there was an injury.
West Brom fans will probably not like the look of the midfield after scathing criticism of the partnership of Chris Brunt and Jake Livermore in the centre of the pitch, but the experienced duo could line up there yet again at the Riverside.
Matt Phillips is expected to start on the right wing with Harvey Barnes, on loan from Leicester, on the left.
Up front, Dwight Gayle and Jay Rodriguez are more than likely going to spearhead the attack together once again.
It will be the first time that West Brom play against Pulis since the Welshman was sacked by the Black Country club in November of last year.
A win would see the Baggies leapfrog Boro in the Championship standings on goal difference, with the Teessiders currently second behind leaders Leeds.