West Brom vs Derby County preview: Team news, likely lineup, score prediction
West Brom will be looking to make it back-to-back wins under new manager Ryan Mason when they face Derby County in the EFL Cup.
The Baggies got off to winning ways as they defeated Blackburn Rovers at The Hawthorns in the opening fixture of their Championship campaign on Saturday.
New signing Nat Phillips was just one of many who impressed as Albion secured a 1-0 win.
- Phillips won six aerial duels against Blackburn
Albion are back in action on Tuesday, but this time in the EFL Cup when they take on Derby in round one.
Derby began their own Championship campaign with a 3-1 loss to Stoke City, and therefore make the trip to the West Midlands on a bit of a low.
Form Guide (All competitions)
West Brom – W
Derby – L
Team news
Given the quick turnaround between fixtures, the cup game gives Mason a perfect opportunity to rest some players and hand others their first competitive minutes of the season.
Darnell Furlong will miss the cup tie through suspension, as the right-back was sent off for a second bookable offence against Blackburn.
This allows George Campbell to make his first start for West Brom and stake his claim to be in Mason’s starting XI.
Karlan Grant is expected to drop to the bench, with Mikey Johnston replacing him out wide.
Josh Maja is also expected to make his first appearance of the season and could feature alongside Aune Heggebo, as the two strikers could potentially swap positions throughout the game.
Predicted lineup
Josh Griffiths is expected to keep his place in between the sticks after his clean sheet and solid performance against Blackburn.
Campbell could be the only change to the Baggies’ back four, coming in to replace the suspended Furlong.
Isaac Price should keep his place in the number ten role after his spectacular performance in which the 21-year-old scored on Saturday, with Alex Mowatt and Jayson Molumby rounding out the numbers in the engine room.
Johnston may get his first start of the season out on the left, whilst Heggebo and Maja could potentially play as a front two, with it being flexible when it comes to who drifts out onto the right and runs the channel.
Prediction: West Brom 2-1 Derby
If West Brom want to finish in a top-six spot this season, it is important they make The Hawthorns a fortress under Mason, no matter the competition.
It will be another good test for West Brom early on into the season against Championship opposition, giving Mason’s side an opportunity to continue to build upon the positive result against Blackburn.
Whilst it is unlikely that West Brom will advance into the latter stages of the competition, winning will give the dressing room a boost and give Mason more opportunities to analyse certain players within his squad.
Although it is far from the end of the world if they lose, expect West Brom to make it two wins on the bounce, with Derby still reeling from their 3-1 loss to Stoke.
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