West Bromwich Albion have it all to do this afternoon as they travel to face high-flying Reading without a manager.
The Baggies dismissed Steve Bruce on Monday and are yet to find a replacement, having not won in their last eight league games as they sit in the relegation zone.
Meanwhile, the Royals sit fifth and will certainly fancy their chances of picking up a home win today.
With Albion under-21s boss Gary Beale taking the first team on a temporary basis, it throws up the issue as to whether he sticks with Bruce’s principles or makes wholesale changes.
With that in mind, here’s the West Brom XI we’re predicting for today’s game…
We expect just two changes from the 0-0 draw with Luton Town last week, with West Brom maintaining their same 3-4-3 tactical shape.
Alex Palmer will continue in goal, with David Button having been given his chance and lost it under the previous regime.
The back three will likely remain unchanged too, as Semi Ajayi and Kyle Bartley remain sidelined with long-term injuries. Erik Pieters will continue to deputise as the outside centre-back.
The midfield of Jake Livermore and Tom Rogic could also continue, despite neither of them pulling up any trees at The Hawthorns this season with WhoScored ratings of 6.38 and 5.99 respectively.
Conor Townsend and Matt Phillips are set to continue providing the width. Both have proved over the years that they can be dependable options for the Midlands outfit and will need to be on form to negate a free-flowing Reading side.
It is the front three where West Brom will likely make changes, as they continued to be toothless up front last week. They have scored just two goals over their last three games.
Grady Diangana has once again disappointed and could relinquish his place in the starting XI. He has scored just twice in 13 Championship games this season. He will likely make way for the “super talented’ John Swift, who has been the shining light in an otherwise miserable season. The 27-year-old has maintained a 7.15 average SofaScore rating so far.
Jed Wallace will keep his spot for now, and Karlan Grant could replace Brandon Thomas-Asante in the recent merry-go-round up top.
