West Brom ended their massive twenty-one game streak with no wins last month to see them escape the relegation zone albeit for a brief period. A couple of 2-0 wins in the FA Cup against Exeter City and Brighton and Hove in the Premier League renewed hope in the Baggies camp. However, their joy was shortlived as they have since drawn 1-1 against Everton followed by a 3-0 defeat at the hands of the league leaders Manchester City and a fighting 2-3 draw against Southampton.
The results have seen the club degrade yet again and the Baggies are now firmly at the bottom. They have replaced Swansea City at the 20th place who have flown high above after an impressive last few weeks. They are now five points off the 19th placed team and a solid 7 points off safety. Relegation now looks a strong possibility and Pardew’s men will have to get their act straight if they wish to enjoy the riches of the league next season.
Their performances in the 1-1 draw against Tottenham Hotspur and against Manchester City in the first half of the season where they lost 2-3 showed that they have enough quality in the squad to cut it out in the Premier League and they will need to harness more of that energy when they face Chelsea on Monday night. The Blues bad form will encourage Pardew’s men to use this as an opportunity to get all three points and deliver another blow to Conte’s future as Chelsea boss. Here is how the Pardew will want to set up his team.
Formation: 4-3-3
Defence
Ben Foster is expected to play in goal for the Baggies. The West Brom back-line is likely to be without captain Jonny Evans and the centre-back pairing could be Ahmed Hegazi and Craig Dawson with Gareth McAuley missing out owing to his bad performance.
The right-back position is likely to go to Allan-Romeo Nyom with the left back position occupied by former Arsenal man Kieran Gibbs.
Midfield
Alan Pardew will be boosted by the return of Grzegorz Krychowiak and the French tactician might opt for a three-man midfield with Gareth Barry and Claudio Yacob on either side of Krychowiak.
Attack
The three men that Pardew will want to use up front will be former Chelsea man Daniel Sturridge and Jay Rodriguez on the wings with rumoured Chelsea target Salomon Rondon upfront.
