It’s that time the beginning of the season, when the evenings are getting darker but that means the first round of the EFL Cup starts this week as the Baggies are back in action hoping to go on a cup run against the Rams.
The EFL Cup is in action starting on Tuesday but can the Baggies go on a cup run and reach the latter stages under Ryan Mason. Derby County hit The Hawthorns as we are looking to carry on where we left of here on Saturday with a 1-0 win over Blackburn Rovers on Championship opening day.
Player To Watch – Derby County
Former Luton Town striker Carlton Morris seems to be emerging as a key figure for Derby ahead of the EFL Cup tie against us and here is why I picked him as the player to watch for the Rams.
Morris opened his account for Derby in their 3–1 defeat to Stoke City, showing sharp instincts and composure in front of goal. Against a West Brom side likely to rotate and field a less settled back line, Morris’s strength and hold-up play could be crucial in unsettling defenders.
After a disappointing league opener, the Carabao Cup offers a chance for Morris to lead Derby’s bounce-back effort and stake his claim as a regular starter. As one of the summer arrivals, he’ll be eager to justify his inclusion and make an early impact in a high-profile away tie.
Player To Watch – West Brom
Isaac Price would be my player to watch for this EFL Cup encounter his goal against Blackburn was a perfect example of his composure and technical quality.
That goal capped off a performance where Price consistently found pockets of space, linked play intelligently, and showed the kind of maturity that belies his age. For a player brought in mid-season from Standard Liège last season, he’s adapted remarkably quickly — and if that strike is anything to go by, he’s not just a tidy midfielder, he’s a genuine goal threat. Against Derby, especially if Mason rotates, Price could be the one to provide that moment of magic again.
Line Up V Derby County
A few changes made, in goal I have gone for Joe Wildsmith to give Griffiths a rest in time for Wrexham, in the back four I have gone for Reece Hall, Caleb Taylor, George Campbell and Callum Styles, Hall would come in for suspended Darnell Furlong and a few others come in to replace Heggem and Phillips.
In Midfield, Diakite and Cole Deeming would make a start for this EFL Cup 1st Round to give them game time, Jed Wallace, Isaac Price and Mikey Johnston would start just behind last season’s top scorer Josh Maja.
Prediction V Derby County
Predictions for the EFL Cup 1st Round seems difficult against Championship rival Derby County, with our record in this cup has not been the best in recent years.
I think we get off to a good start by making a few attempts in the first 10 minutes, with Jed Wallace trying to get off the mark that would go wide. The first goal would come in the 23rd minute with Josh Maja getting his first of the season. Just before half-time I feel Derby would score from a corner with Matt Clarke getting a head on the ball to pump the scoreline back level.
In the final third, West Brom would attack and a goal from Tom Fellows who would come on get the winner and get his side to advance to the next round of the EFL Cup.
Prediction: West Brom 2-1 Derby County
Goalscorers for West Brom: Josh Maja, Tom Fellows
Goalscorers for Derby County: Matt Clarke
A 2-1 win I’m going for in this EFL Cup opener, with our home form I think we can get a decent result that can put us into the 2nd round of this competition but lets see how we do on Tuesday evening under the lights at The Hawthorns.