West Bromwich Albion play host to Plymouth Argyle on Saturday afternoon bidding to retain their spot at the top of the Championship standings.
Meanwhile, the visitors to The Hawthorns begin the next set of fixtures in 16th position, an acceptable start for head coach Wayne Rooney.
Match preview
© Imago
With the club's new owners having their first transfer window at the helm, there was always optimism that West Brom could start strong in 2024-25.
However, only one fresh face has featured in the starting lineup in the Championship this campaign, with Carlos Corberan able to select the same XI five times in a row.
Familiarity has seemingly paid off, West Brom accumulating 13 points from their first five games and only dropping points in a goalless draw at home to Leeds United.
Keeping Josh Maja fit could be key, with the forward already notching five strikes and one assist from his appearances in attack.
Last time out, the 25-year-old netted in the first minute at Portsmouth, before Alex Mowatt scored a double at the break to earn an impressive 3-0 victory at Fratton Park.
West Brom possess the best defensive record in the division, conceding just twice, and that is in sharp contrast to a Plymouth side that have shipped nine times over the same period.
The Pilgrims had been winless in the Championship under Rooney until they produced one of the shock results of the season thus far, ending Sunderland's 100% record with a 3-2 win.
While an own goal and penalty contributed to two of their three goals, credit should be given for a stirring second-half comeback at Home Park.
Plymouth had previously gone six halves of football without finding the back of the net, there now being intrigue over whether Rooney will release the handbrake on the back of last weekend's success.
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Team News
![Wayne Rooney Manager of Plymouth Argyle thanks their fans after the Sky Bet Championship match between Queens Park Rangers and Plymouth Argyle at Loftus Road Stadium, London, on 24 August 2024 [on August 25, 2024]](https://sm.imgix.net/24/34/wayne-rooney.jpg?w=640&h=480&auto=compress,format&fit=clip "Wayne Rooney Manager of Plymouth Argyle thanks their fans after the Sky Bet Championship match between Queens Park Rangers and Plymouth Argyle at Loftus Road Stadium, London, on 24 August 2024 [on August 25, 2024]")
© Imago
Although Corberan is yet to make a change to a Championship XI this season, Mikey Johnston may be considered for a start on the Baggies flank.
Karlan Grant would be the player to drop out if that was the case, but it would not come as a surprise if the attacker kept his spot.
The likes of Uros Racic, Grady Diangana and Jed Wallace all seem likely to remain on the substitutes' bench.
Rooney could also name an unchanged Plymouth side, although Ryan Hardie is an obvious option ahead of Michael Obafemi.
While Rami Al Hajj may eventually earn a starting spot in this team, the playmaker may remain among the replacements for the time being.
West Bromwich Albion possible starting lineup:
Palmer; Furlong, Ajayi, Bartley, Heggem; Molumby, Mowatt; Fellows, Swift, Grant; Maja
Plymouth Argyle possible starting lineup:
Grimshaw; Edwards, Szucs, Gibson, Mumba; Randell, Gyabi; Whittaker, Wright, Cissoko; Hardie
We say: West Bromwich Albion 2-0 Plymouth Argyle
Having toppled one leader of the division, Plymouth will fancy their chances of replicating that act. Nevertheless, we can only back a hard-earned win for the Baggies here, and with a clean sheet being recorded in the process.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Darren Plant
