West Bromwich Albion travel to face Midlands rivals Birmingham City on Sunday afternoon in what could make for a fierce clash.

On Friday, Steve Bruce revealed that the Baggies had just 11 fit players over the international break, whilst the rest of the squad were representing their respective nations.

According to the 61-year-old, notable injuries include "exciting" 21-year-old striker Daryl Dike, Kenneth Zohore, Kean Bryan and Matty Phillips, who are all at different stages of the rehabilitation process after suffering injury setbacks.

Apart from the injury to Dike, the squad is in the same shape as before the international break, which is a big positive for Baggies fans. However, Bruce still has a lot to consider, as Albion will be looking to add to Birmingham's disappointing pattern of failing to score in any of the last three games.

Andy Carroll will be hoping to start, having not played a full 90 minutes since late February, but that may be a tough ask, with the partnership between Karlan Grant and Callum Robinson starting to blossom over the last few weeks, with five goals in the last three games for the pair.

In terms of system, it's expected that West Brom will continue to deploy their defensive three formation, and it would not be a surprise if we saw both teams shaping up in a 3-5-2 system and going man-for-man.

Here is our predicted Albion XI ahead of the clash with Birmingham on Sunday:

Johnstone; Ajayi, Bartley, Clarke; Furlong, Gardner-Hickman, Livermore, Mowatt, Townsend; Robinson, Grant

It could be the case that Steve Bruce will stick rather than twist, despite a relatively disappointing performance last time out against Bristol City.

In terms of form coming into this game, West Brom hold the advantage, having bagged two wins and two draws across the last five fixtures; including an impressive 1-0 defeat of Championship leaders Fulham.

Meanwhile, Lee Bowyer's Birmingham side come into Sunday's clash having picked up just five points from a possible 15, not the sort of form you'd want to be in during the business end of the season.

Despite failing to score in four out of their last five games, it is certain that the Blues will feel the pressure from their home support coming into this tie and will look to disrupt Steve Bruce's side as the Baggies look to add to their ascending momentum.

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