West Brom v Preston: Lewis Cox's predicted line-up
Chris Brunt and Albion's interim team take to the home dugout at The Hawthorns for the first time on New Year's Day.
Paul Heckingbottom's improving Preston are the visitors having gone up against the Baggies at Deepdale - in a 1-1 draw - just a little over a month ago.
Brunt, Damia Abella and Boaz Myhill lead their third match at the helm following Carlos Corberan's sudden departure, but with no shortage of hope from supporters given the fine display to draw at Sheffield United on Sunday.
Given the level of performance at Bramall Lane, the obvious shout would be to go with an unchanged starting line-up to reward all 11.
It might not be that straight-forward for Albion's interim crew, however.
Albion put in a tireless shift on Sunday in the third of a streak of five matches in 14 days. Rotation was always likely in that period and has been managed until now. The performance at Bramall Lane was certainly several steps up from the Boxing Day Corberan-type hangover at Pride Park.
Ousmane Diakite certainly deserves to go again after his star showing despite the error - but the way he hobbled off riddled with cramp late on, "on one leg" as Brunt put it, has to raise a question mark.
Another uncertainty is Kyle Bartley. The experienced defender requires managing between games these days, particularly in busy streaks, and he has played all three games so far. This could be the one he sits out - but options are few and far between given Paddy McNair has left and Mason Holgate (groin) is an injury doubt. Bartley might have to go again, with Swansea on the horizon on Saturday. Midfielder Alex Mowatt (groin) is still out.
There are other options in attack, of course. Grady Diangana looks primed and ready for a start. It would not be a surprise to see John Swift feature again. The hosts will hope Karlan Grant and Callum Styles are fit enough to go again after fine returns to the starting XI on Sunday.
Despite all of that, I've gone for the familiar...
Check out Baggies correspondent Lewis Cox's predicted side below.
4-4-2
Alex Palmer
Darnell Furlong
Kyle Bartley
Torbjorn Heggem
Callum Styles
Tom Fellows
Jayson Molumby
Ousmane Diakite
Mikey Johnston
Karlan Grant
Josh Maja
Subs: Wildsmith, Frabotta, Holgate, Racic, Wallace, Swift, Diangana, Dobbin, Cole.
Comment Guidelines
Iconic Media encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.