West Bromwich Albion continue their preparations for the new Championship campaign with a trip to face fellow EFL side Stevenage.
While the Baggies have played one fixture during pre-season, their hosts have come through two games against non-league opposition.
Match preview
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On the back of their hugely disappointing first campaign back in the Championship, Steve Bruce is under pressure to put together a squad capable of earning a return to the Premier League.
Although a couple of influential figures have departed The Hawthorns, Bruce will be satisfied with the level of player that he has managed to attract to the club.
Playmakers John Swift and Jed Wallace have arrived on free transfers from Reading and Millwall respectively, the pair having the potential to add a much-needed goal threat in the final third.
However, it was goals from Conor Townsend and youngster Zac Ashworth which earned the Baggies a 2-1 victory over Leyton Orient in their first friendly of the summer.
West Brom will undergo the remainder of their preparations in England with four successive away fixtures taking place in the space of 10 days.
Stevenage are the first of the EFL opponents which stand in their way and Steve Evans will be looking to build on his promising start to life at Broadhall Way.
Four wins and a draw came from his first nine games in charge, the veteran boss backing up that upturn in results by making widespread changes to the first-team squad.
As many as eight players have been signed on free transfers, the trio of Jordan Roberts, Kane Smith and Dan Sweeney all getting on the scoresheet in the 3-0 win at Hitchin Town earlier this week.
However, Stevenage now face a significant step up in quality with Peterborough United and Derby County to follow the clash with West Brom.
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Team News
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Bruce selected two entirely different lineups for each half of the game with Leyton Orient, the first-half XI significantly stronger than the second.
However, Swift and Wallace both featured after the break, an indication that Bruce is not necessarily looking to field his strongest team at this stage of the summer.
Daryl Dike was provided with 45 minutes of action on the back of his recovery from a hamstring injury earlier in the year, and the American forward could receive similar game time in this contest.
Evans named six of his eight summer signings for the meeting with Hitchin, potentially a sign that they will feature heavily in his plans for the season.
Max Clark and Danny Rose were the new players who were only selected among the replacements and they may be given a run out from the first XI in this contest.
We say: Stevenage 1-3 West Bromwich Albion
With Stevenage marginally further down the line when it comes to achieving match fitness, this could prove to be a competitive fixture. Nevertheless, the Baggies' superior quality should eventually shine through, potentially in the second half when fringe members are given the chance to impress Bruce.
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Darren Plant
