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West Bromwich Albion return to Championship action today as they host Rotherham United in a 3pm kick-off.

The Baggies are currently enjoying their best vein of form in some time, having won four games on the bounce already. A win today could propel them to within five points of the play-off positions, which is astounding considering where they were when Steve Bruce was sacked in October.

Their most recent win over Sunderland was particularly important for ensuring that they maintained their run despite the World Cup break, and they now face a Rotherham side who sit below them in the table.

The Millers have only won once in their last eight, but that did come while on their travels against high-flying Sheffield United.

Carlos Corberan will look to exercise caution amongst his squad as he deals with injuries and sickness.

With that in mind, here’s the West Brom XI that we’re predicting for today’s clash. Corberan is expected to make three changes from the side which won on Monday.

Alex Palmer will surely continue in goal, with the shot-stopper having conceded only once in the Baggies’ last four games.

He will sit behind an unchanged back four, with Kyle Bartley’s only just back in training and Semi Ajayi ruled out. The former has enjoyed a similarly rich vein of form but was struck down in their mid-season friendly with Elche.

Erik Pieters deputised brilliantly at the Stadium of Light, though, making five clearances, and he will continue alongside Dara O’Shea. They will be flanked by Conor Townsend and Darnell Furlong.

The substitute heroics of Tom Rogic will surely have earned him a start for today, as it was his goal which sparked their second-half turnaround last Monday. He will partner Okay Yokuslu, who will screen the defence to allow John Swift the freedom to get forward.

Jed Wallace provided a peach of a cross for their late winner at Sunderland, and he will continue on one wing. However, having missed out five days ago due to illness, Grady Diangana should return ahead of Matt Phillips if he is deemed fit enough, having also trained this week.

Despite being described as a “fantastic player” by Charlie Austin in the past, Phillips’ performances have not caught the eye this season, ranking a lowly 17th among West Brom’s squad via WhoScored.

These wide attackers will supplement the return of Monday night’s match-winning hero, with Daryl Dike seeking to make his first senior start since last January.

His goal and assist won them the match earlier in the week, and if he is deemed fit he will surely be trusted to lead the line today.

Liverpool have shortlisted Napoli star Piotr Zielinski as a target alongside Jude Bellingham, according to reports.

The Lowdown: Liverpool eye Bellingham move…

It’s no secret that the Premier League giants hold a very serious interest in the Borussia Dortmund sensation, as multiple reports have suggested over the past few months.

When compared to England’s top two current teams Manchester City and Arsenal, Jurgen Klopp’s side are arguably bereft of midfield depth and need to significantly invest in key areas to get back challenging for major honours again.

Bellingham could be the perfect target given his all-round ability and phenomenal form for Dortmund this season, but if he is deemed out of reach, it appears that Liverpool have shortlisted a few alternatives – including Zielinski.

The Latest: Liverpool also eyeing Zielinski…

According to journalist Rudy Galetti, writing on his website, the Poland international is now a target for the Reds.

The 28-year-old, who is currently at the World Cup in Qatar, joins Liverpool’s shortlist alongside other midfield targets like Bellingham, Declan Rice, Moises Caicedo and Mikel Merino.

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The Verdict: Good alternative?

Called a ‘beautiful footballer’ by former Poland national team boss Paulo Sousa, Zielinski’s current deal expires in 2024 and contains a £94m release clause.

However, Napoli are arguably quite likely to agree to a much lower fee than that, given that his contract has just over 18 months left to run.

The Serie A leaders could be pressured into agreeing a lower fee, and Zielinski could be worth the effort from Liverpool considering that Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti – no stranger to working with elite footballers – thinks he is a ‘complete’ player.

With West Bromwich Albion having finally begun to pick up crucial points in the Championship, it seems like the enforced World Cup break has come at the completely wrong time for Carlos Corberan and his men.

Boasting three wins from their last three, and clean sheets in all those games too, it seems that in a short time he has almost revolutionised the club and got everyone moving in the right direction.

Although a lot of the core principles remain from Steve Bruce’s regime, with a focus on holding possession combined with a solid defence, the Spaniard has actually managed to execute these aspects to finally make the Baggies a threat to the opposition this season.

What makes this feat even more impressive is that he has walked into another man’s squad, and is yet to have any actual impact on either incoming or outgoing transfers.

He will likely have plenty of ideas on positions that need improvement, with a goalkeeper likely high on his list.

Earlier in the season, Bruce made the decision to swap from David Button to Alex Palmer, with the former having endured a torrid season that culminated in his 6.33 average SofaScore rating.

Whilst his recent form has been better, his replacement was hardly spectacular too. In Corberan’s first game in charge, he would make zero saves and concede with just the two shots on target that Sheffield United mustered.

Perhaps instead of dipping into the market to solve this issue, he need look no further than Portsmouth, where one of West Brom’s academy hopefuls is earning huge senior experience and excelling whilst there too.

Josh Griffiths has already featured 16 times in League One for Pompey and boasts just 18 goals conceded during this time.

His exploits have been imperative in their playoff push, as only five teams have conceded less than them.

It marks the 21-year-old’s third loan in as many seasons, with the most impressive likely being whilst at Cheltenham Town. There, he would concede just 45 goals in 50 appearances in all competitions, winning the league in the process.

His manager at the time, Michael Duff, praised him for the numerous “vital” saves he would pull off for his side.

Touted to have a “big future” by the Robins chairman Andy Wilcox, and clearly enjoying yet another fine season in a higher division, there must surely come a time when he is unleashed for the Baggies, thus fixing Corberan’s issue without spending a penny.

Sunderland journalist for The Northern Echo Scott Wilson has been left bemoaning an injury update on Aji Alese.

The Lowdown: Injury pile-up

Tony Mowbray gave an update on the fitness of Lynden Gooch after he missed their 2-0 loss away at Blackburn Rovers in the Championship on Tuesday night, claiming that the club are ‘hopeful’ that his injury is minor after suffering a ‘bit of bruising’.

However, his post-match update on Alese sounded more serious, after the defender limped off in the second half.

Mowbray admitted that Alese ‘might have twisted’ his foot in the challenge that forced him off, and added that he may even need a scan.

The Latest: Wilson reacts

Taking to Twitter this morning, Wilson bemoaned the injury update on Alese, claiming that it was ‘more bad news’ for the Stadium of Light outfit:

“More bad news for SAFC from last night as Tony Mowbray admits Aji Alese may need a scan on the foot injury that forced him off at Blackburn.”

The Verdict: Big blow

Given that the Wearsiders have already lost Gooch to injury recently, as well as the likes of Ross Stewart and Ellis Simms, Alese potentially being out long-term would be another big blow.

The 21-year-old, who has played at centre-back, left-back and left wing-back already for the Black Cats, has started the last seven games in the Championship including against Blackburn (Transfermarkt), showing how much faith Mowbray has in him to perform wherever he is on the pitch.

He has been praised in the media in some of his recent displays, and given the form that he is in, supporters will be praying that Alese’s injury is not too serious.

Celtic now turn their attention back towards the Scottish Premiership as they prepare to clash with Hibernian at Parkhead this afternoon.

The Hoops are coming into the match off the back of a 2-0 defeat to Bundesliga side RB Leipzig in midweek, which has left them sitting at the bottom of their Champions League group.

Ange Postecoglou will surely be hoping to see a reaction from his team against Hibs as they look to extend their two-point lead at the top of the Scottish top-flight table.

When he comes to selecting his starting XI for the match, the Australian head coach may opt against keeping Liel Abada in the side out on the wing.

The attacker was forced off in the first half of the defeat to Leipzig earlier this week and, whilst he has been deemed available for selection, Postecoglou may look to rest him for this game to ensure that the gem does not aggravate the knock.

This would leave a wide position open on the right but the manager must bring in a centre-forward to replace the winger – Giorgios Giakoumakis.

The striker was a substitute in the 2-0 loss to the German side in the Champions League and must be reinstated into the starting XI, with Kyogo Furuhashi – who led the line in Europe – moving either out wide or into a number 10 role to play off the former Eredivisie goal machine.

He has only started one match in the Premiership this season and deserves a run in the team to show what he is capable of, after scoring the winner against St Johnstone in the 95th minute last weekend.

It was his third goal of the league campaign and his 16th strike in 12 starts in the Scottish top-flight since making the move to Parkhead at the start of 2021/22.

A-League writer Sacha Pisani previously claimed that he is one of the Celtic players who can “dominate headlines” and his sensational goalscoring record backs that up.

The Greek forward, who was once dubbed “underrated” by journalist Josh Bunting, has the potential to be a match-winner for the Hoops as he has proven that he can score on a regular basis, plundering 21 goals and providing one assist in 41 outings for the club to date.

Therefore, Postecoglou must unleash Giakoumakis against Hibernian as he is a menace to opposition defences, and bringing him back into the team will allow Abada to rest, whilst also giving the 27-year-old striker a well-deserved start after his winning goal last week.

He could be in the headlines again if he is at his predatory best at Parkhead but it is down to the manager to offer him the chance to showcase his talent over 90 minutes instead of coming off the bench.

As West Ham United wrapped up eight major deals during the summer window, one move that the Hammers opted against completing was a permanent swoop for midfielder Alex Kral, with the Czech Republic international moving on after a disappointing temporary spell at the London Stadium.

The defensive-minded gem had been signed from Spartak Moscow on a season-long loan deal last summer that included an option to buy, albeit with manager David Moyes ultimately opting against securing the player on a longer-term basis.

The former Everton boss had seemingly handled the 31-cap machine bizarrely during his time in east London, hardly giving the Slovakia-born gem a chance to impress after handing him just a solitary Premier League outing off the bench.

Even that rare taste of action came as a substitute in the final minute of the 4-1 thrashing of Watford back in December, with it having appeared somewhat odd that the Irons made the move in the first place, with Moyes clearly not valuing the 24-year-old highly.

The £4.95m-rated man was also restricted to just three appearances in the Europa League, despite the club’s lengthy run in the competition providing an opportune time for rotation, having hardly had a look-in, in truth.

The player himself must be wondering quite what he did to deserve such cold treatment from the Hammers boss, particularly when he had impressed early on with a solid display in the League Cup triumph over Manchester United back in September, having notably won the joint-most tackles of any player on the pitch for either side (five).

Quite why the 6 foot 2 brute wasn’t able to build on such a “superb” showing – as lauded by Premier League Panel – remains something of a headscratcher, with it having been no real surprise that Moyes and co had snubbed the chance of a permanent deal, such was their lack of trust in the player.

That decision has potentially backfired, however, with the club having since failed to truly bolster their defensive midfield ranks, with that proving a particular issue amid the current woes of regular starter Tomas Soucek, who faces an uncertain future at the club.

Keeping Kral could well have provided West Ham with the depth needed to take his compatriot out of the firing line, with the current Schalke man having notably showcased his quality while on international duty this week.

Amid defeat to Portugal on Saturday evening, the former Slavia Prague man was a rare shining light in the centre of the park, winning 100% of his ground duels and completing 100% of his total dribbles, while also recording two tackles and two interceptions on his way to earning a 7.3 match rating.

Soucek, by contrast, endured a far more difficult outing alongside his former club colleague, winning just 25% of ground duels and attempting no dribbles, while also making just one tackle and two interceptions, having been dribbled past on three occasions as he earned a 6.5 rating.

Equally, Kral has also showcased his ball-winning quality at club level in recent times as he ranks in the top 3% for interceptions made among those in his position across Europe’s top five leagues, while the current Hammers man ranks in just the top 37% in the same metric.

It may well appear that Moyes has made the wrong call in both failing to provide the former loanee with the chance to shine last term as well as in letting him depart at the end of last season, with the 59-year-old potentially set to be left to rue that decision should Soucek’s recent struggles continue.

Aston Villa made the bold call to keep hold of Douglas Luiz in the summer transfer window in a decision that may have cost the club £25m.

Liverpool and Arsenal were both heavily linked with the Brazilian on deadline day but Steven Gerrard was clearly keen to keep him at Villa Park for the rest of the season, as he looks to improve on a disappointing start to the new Premier League campaign.

Unfortunately for the Villa boss, Luiz will reportedly now walk away from the club on a free transfer when his contract expires at the end of this season, with a move to another Premier League side seemingly on the cards.

Arsenal reportedly offered £25m for the former Manchester City man on deadline day as they looked to bolster their midfield options but Johan Lange stood firm and rejected the Gunners’ approaches, despite the midfield addition of Leander Dendoncker from Wolves.

Since signing from City, Luiz has gone on to make 117 appearances for the Villans, in which he has contributed seven goals and eight assists during a smattering of eye-catching displays.

He was a mainstay in Villa’s side last season, making 34 appearances in the top flight and averaging a solid 6.77 rating from WhoScored, which ranked him as the seventh-best performer in Gerrard’s squad, so it is easy to see why the former Rangers boss wanted to keep him.

Gerrard said: “I would like to keep him – he’s a fantastic player and I’ve made that abundantly clear. We are not in a position to lose top players.”

Former Villa favourite Gabby Agbonlahor is also a big fan of the 24-year-old midfielder, as he sang his praises last season, saying:

“The last two games Douglas Luiz has been very good. He’s flying forward and getting into the box. He’s been outstanding and transformed.”

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Irrespective of how good he has been in Villa colours, with many seemingly holding him in high regard, it’s a decision that could come back to bite them from a financial point of view.

Indeed, it appeared as though the Brazilian’s stock was high this summer and after scoring directly from a corner against the Gunners and versus Bolton, there was no better evidence of his remarkable talent.

Unfortunately for Villa supporters, it seems as if this season will be the last they see of Luiz in claret and blue colours, and Lange’s bold decision to keep him on deadline day may well have backfired and cost the club £25m, which they could have invested into a new midfielder who actually sees his long-term future at Villa Park.

Transfer insider Dean Jones believes Aston Villa striker Keinan Davis may be forced to leave if he wants regular playing time. 

The lowdown: Wanted man

Following a successful loan stint at Nottingham Forest, Davis has returned to Villa Park and was part of the pre-season plans under Steven Gerrard before injury curtailed the frontman’s progression.

The 24-year-old former England youth international was subsequently absent from the squad for the opening day defeat against Bournemouth after another hamstring setback and is unlikely to feature against Everton this weekend, which is particularly worrying given how blunt the attack looked against the Cherries.

Linked with a return to Forest as well as moves to Watford and Norwich City previously, one well-informed onlooker has shed some light on the situation surrounding Davis at present…

The latest: ‘Villa are looking…’

Speaking to Give Me Sport, Jones – a journalist for Eurosport – has hinted at an exit, saying the club are already ‘looking’ at too many players who can play in Davis’ spot…

“Villa are looking at six players for those attacking positions. I’m just not sure there’s going to be room for him to actually make a challenge.

“The only thing you could say that would help him is the five-sub rule, but even with that you’re going to be getting five minutes here and there.”

The verdict: Cash in…

Should a new face – such as the courted Espanyol frontman Raul de Tomas – arrive before the September 1 transfer deadline, allowing Davis to move on appears to be the best option for all parties.

Despite seemingly possessing all of the required attributes to succeed at the elite level, the academy graduate – who was described as ‘absolutely unplayable’ by ex-Villans favourite Jack Grealish – has only managed six goals in 86 first-team outings for the Midlands club.

Valued at £2.25million and under contract until 2024 (Transfermarkt), Davis is unlikely to be rewarded with a new deal anytime soon and with fleeting appearances seemingly the only offer, sanctioning a sale and using the funds elsewhere would be a wise move from Johan Lange.

Journalist Alex Crook has dropped a claim on reported Newcastle United target Armando Broja.

The Lowdown: Bid considered

It has been reported that the St James’ Park outfit are considering making a bid for the Albania international before the transfer window closes.

They have also reportedly been interested in RB Salzburg’s Benjamin Sesko and Atalanta’s Luis Muriel, so it is clear that Eddie Howe still wants to bring in a new striker.

The Latest: Crook’s claim

However, peaking to GIVEMESPORT, Crook has claimed that, contrary to reports, Howe does not want to sign Broja, who is not on the list of targets at Newcastle.

The talkSPORT journalist claimed: “I’m not convinced by the Newcastle links to Broja, to be honest. I’ve been told Howe doesn’t want him. I’m there to be proved wrong, but I’m told he’s not on their list.

“I think he wants too much money as well. There’s a certain wage structure in place at Newcastle that he would probably try and break.”

The Verdict: It’s a shame

It would certainly be a shame if the Tynesiders were to miss out on signing Broja this summer.

Hailed as ‘devastating‘ by Albania assistant coach Sergio Porrini, and dubbed a striker with ‘incredible pace and strength’ by Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp, the 20-year-old impressed while on loan at Southampton from Chelsea last season, scoring nine goals and supplying one assist across all competitions (Transfermarkt).

He already has four goals in 14 caps for Albania too (Transfermarkt), so he seems to be a forward with a maturity beyond his years.

If Chelsea make him available on the market, now represents the perfect opportunity for Newcastle to snap up Broja, as the likelihood is that he will only get better and better as he progresses through his 20s.

Rangers have recently been linked with left-back Ridvan Yilmaz and the defender could be the ideal man to replace Calvin Bassey in Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s Ibrox ranks.

After receiving a record transfer fee for Bassey earlier this week, Rangers will undoubtedly be in the market for a new left-sided defender.

While Ben Davies has arrived from Liverpool he is primarily a centre-back and Giovanni van Bronckhorst undoubtedly needs some more cover at left-back next season, as he currently has just Borna Barisic available there.

Considering the Croatian has also been linked with a potential move away from Ibrox, left-back will be a priority concern for the Teddy Bears as they prepare for the new season, and they could find the ideal man in Besiktas full-back, Yilmaz.

It was reported earlier this week that Rangers could look to sign the 21-year-old defender following Bassey’s exit and could pay in excess of £4m for the Turkey international.

Despite being in the final year of his contract with the Super Lig side, Yilmaz is highly-rated and has plenty of experience with Besiktas, having made 62 appearances for the senior side in his career thus far, in which he has contributed an impressive four goals and seven assists.

Last season saw Yilmaz make 27 appearances in Turkey’s top flight, notching three goals and four assists, averaging an impressive 6.77 rating from WhoScored for his performances.

The youngster has already earned six caps for Turkey and clearly has a lot of potential, so could be the ideal man to replace Bassey, with the hope that he can also develop into a top player before making the Gers a significant profit in the future.

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Yilmaz excels at dribbling and playing key passes, so he would definitely be able to contribute going forwards next season, and could be a quality addition to Van Bronckhorst’s side.

Therefore, following the windfall from Bassey, Ross Wilson should definitely consider bringing the “incredible talent” to Ibrox this summer.

AND, in other news: “On Rangers’ radar” – Journalist claims GvB is looking at signing £6m Bassey replacement