Josh Maja to start, Grady Diangana to miss out amid speculation - West Brom predicted XI v Leeds United
Josh Maja could be set to make his first start for West Brom when they face Leeds United at Elland Road on Friday night (18 August).
The 24-year-old forward, who joined the Baggies on a three-year deal on 1 August, may well be the only change from the side that beat Swansea City 3-2 at the Hawthorns on 12 August.
That will see Matt Phillips drop to the bench after he filled in as a makeshift striker in the victory over the Swans following the injury suffered by Brandon Thomas-Asante against Stoke City on 8 August.
There had been concerns recently that Alex Palmer could be moving on from the Hawthorns this summer, but the BBC reported on 31 July that West Brom had rejected a final offer from Luton Town for the keeper.
The 27-year-old now looks set to remain with Albion after starting the first two Championship games of the season and he will be looking to record his first clean sheet of the campaign when he starts against Leeds.
Carlos Corberan will continue with the same back-three that was successful in the victory against Swansea, with Erik Pieters, Cedric Kipre and Semi Ajayi all receiving the nod again on Friday in West Yorkshire.
The latter will be hoping to pick up off where he left off last weekend after handing the Baggies the opener in the 18th minute of the game.
Conor Townsend and Darnell Furlong will get the nod again in the wing-back positions as they look to provide an important outlet going forwards, while also adding extra stability at the back in front of a boisterous Elland Road crowd.
Jayson Mulumby will partner Okay Yokuslu in midfield against the Whites after the pair did a good job of tying things together against the Welsh club last time out.
Jed Wallace will continue to provide leadership in his captaincy role on the right-hand side of the attack, while John Swift, who scored from the penalty spot last weekend, will look to come in off the left flank and provide space for the overlapping Townsend. Grady Diangana, who has been valued at £7million and linked with a move to Leeds [Express & Star], is expected to miss out again with an injury.
The only change is likely to come up front, where Maja will get the nod over Phillips as he is the only recognised forward that is currently available in the Albion squad and his instinct inside the box could play a key role in helping his side record back-to-back wins.
