Following the opening day narrow defeat to Everton in the league, Stoke City have really bounced back to form defeating Arsenal at the bet365 stadium last weekend and bulldozing over League One side Rochdale AFC in the Carabao Cup in midweek.
After finishing in the bottom half of the table for the first time in four years, Mark Hughes has been under huge pressure since the start of the season. While beating Arsenal has definitely brought back dominance on the home turf, the away territory still remains a doubt for the Potters.
They face a stern West Bromwich Albion side at the Hawthorns next, who have won two of their previous games and a loss would mean a frustrating spell during the interlull that soon follows this matchweek.
Predicted 3-4-2-1 Stoke City Line-up vs West Bromwich Albion
Defence
The position under the bar would be taken by the mercurial Jack Butland again. It was 34-year-old Lee Grant who took on that role against Rochdale on Wednesday with the manager deciding to rest his best man following his brilliant display against Arsenal last weekend.
The back three is also expected to see changes as Stoke had fielded a reserve side on Wednesday against the League One club. Although Kurt Zouma and Bruno Martins Indi started the game among the regular choices, the likes of Ryan Shawcross and Geoff Cameron were rested. Young Philipp Wollscheid started in the middle and dominated the game at the back.
We expect Hughes to stick with Indi against the Baggies given the conservative football Tony Pulis likes to play. West Brom are extremely strong from set-pieces and Hughes will be aware of it.
Midfield
The central midfield duo has made all the difference for the Potters this season. The arrival of Darren Fletcher from West Brom this summer could be the deciding factor for Hughes this season. Fletcher has been West Brom’s skipper long enough to know the Hawthorns well. He isn’t expecting an amicable welcome.
It was Charlie Adam who started alongside Welshman Joe Allen in the midfield last game, but we expect the Irishman to drop to the bench for the game. The wing backs will be Eric Pieters and Mame Diouf. Pieters had started in the midweek fixture but Hughes would want his best man on the flanks. Former Hull City player Josh Tymon had started at right wing-back and should take a place on the bench.
Attack
New fan favourite Jese Rodriguez will take his place in the playmaking position once again after Bojan Krkic started in that area. The other player will be new arrival Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting. Saido Berahino will start as the lone striker.
