West Brom predicted XI vs Derby – Karlan Grant and star teammate axed
Ryan Mason has another massive test coming his way as West Brom face Derby County in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday.
The Hawthorns will host John Eustace’s team in the domestic cup competition on 12 August, with the Baggies heavy favourites going into the tie.
With the Albion coming off a narrow 1-0 victory against Blackburn Rovers at home in the Championship on Saturday (9 August), the English manager will be expected to make a few changes.
Darnell Furlong will miss the Carabao Cup tie after being sent off in the recent win, and the West Midlands outfit could potentially make a few attacking changes.
Mason to drop Tom Fellows from West Brom starting lineup vs Derby
Tom Fellows didn’t have the best of games against Rovers, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see Mason drop him.
Mikey Johnston may replace the 22-year-old English playmaker in the starting lineup, with the latter not coming off the bench during the 1-0 victory at The Hawthorns.
With the 26-year-old on the left wing, Aune Heggebo could potentially be deployed on the right after Karlan Grant’s underwhelming display.
- West Brom had 44 per cent possession against Blackburn.
- The Baggies missed two bid chances at The Hawthorns.
- Valerian Ismael’s team had better xG (1.25) compared to the Albion (1.19).
That would leave Josh Maja free to play as the striker and get back to contributing for the Albion like he did before his fitness issues last season.
As for Furlong, George Campbell seems like the right choice to replace the right-back in the team for the cup tie.
The rest of the starting lineup should remain unchanged, with Nat Phillips and Torbjorn Heggem forming a brilliant partnership at the back.
Read More: Furlong continues ridiculous West Brom tradition started by Jake Livermore
Derby record at The Hawthorns
West Brom are favourites to finish sixth in the Championship this season, which will please fans, but they would arguably also like to see their team go far in the Carabao Cup.
The Baggies were knocked out by Fleetwood Town from the competition’s first round last season at Highbury Stadium, and Mason will want to avoid repeating that same embarrassment.
West Brom last faced Derby in the EFL Cup in the 2022/23 season at Pride Park, losing 1-0, and haven’t faced them in the domestic cup competition at home since the 1986/87 campaign.
Looking at the West Midlands outfit’s last four Championship matches at The Hawthorns against the Rams, the Albion have won just once, which may be concerning for supporters in B71.
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