Arsenal vs West Brom EFL Cup Final LIVE Football Score 25 Aug 2021

Two sides who have endured very contrasting starts to their respective domestic seasons prepare for battle in the second round of the EFL Cup as West Bromwich Albion face Arsenal at The Hawthorns on Wednesday.

The Baggies claimed a 2-1 victory over Blackburn Rovers in the Championship at the weekend, while Arsenal’s woeful start continued with a 2-0 defeat to Chelsea.

With their sights firmly set on an immediate return to the top flight, Valerien Ismael has overseen a splendid start to the season for West Brom, employing the highly effective 3-4-3 which turned Barnsley into the unlikeliest of promotion contenders.

West Brom kicked off the new season with a 2-2 draw against Bournemouth but have since marched to three consecutive victories in the second tier, with Luton Town, Sheffield United and most recently Blackburn falling to the Baggies’ superiority.

During their visit to Ewood Park over the weekend, Alex Mowatt – who followed Ismael to West Brom from Barnsley – saw his sweetly-struck volley sail into the net in the first minute, and Matt Phillips would double his side’s advantage in first-half added time before Ben Brereton Diaz netted what proved to be nothing more than a consolation.

The less said about West Brom’s home fortunes in the 2020-21 Premier League season the better, but they have found the back of the net seven times in their opening two games at The Hawthorns this term and will surely have studied Arsenal’s defensive frailties ahead of this contest.

Not since the 2016-17 season have West Brom been knocked out in the second round – suffering a penalty-shootout defeat to Northampton Town – but they fell at the first round in the 2019-20 campaign and will surely prioritise immediate promotion rather than an unlikely cup run here.

West Bromwich Albion vs Arsenal Head-To-Head

Arsenal head into the game as the superior side in the history of this fixture, claiming 75 wins from their previous 133 meetings. West Bromwich Albion have picked up 38 wins, while 31 games have ended in draws.

West Bromwich Albion Form Guide (all competitions): W-D-W-W-W

Arsenal Form Guide (all competitions): D-L-L-L-L

West Bromwich Albion vs Arsenal Team News

West Bromwich Albion

The Baggies will be without the services of Robert Snodgrass, who has been sidelined through injury.

Injured: Robert Snodgrass

Suspended: None

Arsenal

The Gunners remain without the services of Thomas Partey, Eddie Nketiah, and Gabriel Magalhães, who have all been ruled out through injuries.

Alexandre Lacazette and Willian have tested positive for COVID-19 and will miss the game. Aaron Ramsdale could be handed his debut following his switch from Sheffield United.

Suspended: None

COVID-19: Alexandre Lacazette, Willian

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West Bromwich Albion vs Arsenal Predicted XI

West Bromwich Albion Predicted XI (3-4-3): Sam Johnstone; Dara O’Shea, Kyle Bartley, Matt Clarke; Darnell Furlong, Jake Livermore, Alex Mowatt, Conor Townsend, Grady Diangana, Callum Robinson, Karlan Grant

Arsenal Predicted XI (3-4-3): Aaron Ramsdale; Pablo Mari, Rob Holding, Ben White; Cedric Soares, Kieran Tierney, Granit Xhaka, Albert Sambi Lokonga; Emile Smith Rowe, Bukayo Saka, Nicolas Pepe

West Bromwich Albion vs Arsenal Prediction

Arsenal have endured a horrid start to their league campaign and will be looking to grab a morale-boosting win. West Bromwich Albion will aim to inflict more pain on the Gunners, but we predict the visitors will come away with a win.

Prediction: West Bromwich Albion 1-2 Arsenal