Predicted Crystal Palace line-up to face West Brom in the EFL Cup
Crystal Palace will travel to the Hawthorns to face Championship outfit West Brom in the third round of the EFL Cup on Tuesday.
Crystal Palace dumped Swansea City out of the competition last month to set up a tie with West Brom. The Baggies, meanwhile, have seen off Luton Town and Mansfield Town and will hope they can add a Premier League scalp to their tally.
But after a hard-earned point against Newcastle United last weekend, Roy Hodgson will fancy his team’s chances against the Baggies on Tuesday.
Team News
Christian Benteke will miss the game against West Brom as he continues to recover from a knee injury.
Also, Roy Hodgson will be without the likes of Pape Souare, Scott Dann and Connor Wickham for the midweek trip to the Hawthorns.
Probable Crystal Palace XI
Formation: 4-3-3
Manager: Roy Hodgson
Vicente Guaita (GK)
Reliable, agile and a leader at the back, Guaita should replace Hennessey for the EFL Cup game on Tuesday.
Joel Ward (RB)
Joel Ward has not been at his best this season which has seen him lose his place to young gun Aaron Wan-Bissaka. However, Ward is expected to start the game against West Brom.
Martin Kelly (CB)
Kelly will have to be at the top of his game to keep the likes of Jay Rodriguez and Dwight Gayle quiet at the Hawthorns.
Mamadou Sakho (CB)
Partnering Kelly in central defence should be Sakho, who is strong and commanding at the back for the Eagles. He would have his task cut out against West Brom’s in-form attackers.
Jeffrey Schlupp (LB)
Mostly used as a left-midfielder this season, Schlupp could find himself at left-back for Tuesday’s game.
Jairo Riedewald (CDM)
Starting at the base of the midfield trio could be Riedewald, who is a fantastic player to have in the squad. He can protect the back-four and also play those defence-splitting passes.
Cheikhou Kouyate (RCM)
Kouyate is an energetic midfielder who will be tasked with offering creativity to Palace’s play in the final third.
Max Meyer (LCM)
Meyer has done well in bits and pieces so far. He could be handed a start to dictate the tempo of the game with his passing abilities and clever understanding of the game.
Jason Puncheon (LW)
Starting on the left wing should be Puncheon. He has not seen much game time this season and will be eager to impress his manager on Tuesday.
Andros Townsend (RW)
On the opposite flank, the pace and trickery of Townsend could be useful in unlocking West Brom’s defence.
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Alexander Sorloth (ST)
Due to his towering frame and aerial prowess, Sorloth could be a handful for the West Brom defenders to handle.