West Brom v Arsenal predictions: Misfiring Gunners face Baggies test

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for West Brom v Arsenal in the League Cup second round on Wednesday.

Where to watch

Sky Sports Main Event & Football, 8pm Wednesday

Best bet

Both teams to score
2pts 3-4 bet365

Team news

West Brom
Matt Clarke is set to miss out with Semi Ajayi replacing him at centre-back. Robert Snodgrass is a doubt.

Arsenal
Ben White is self-isolating while Gabriel and Kieran Tierney have been ruled out. Eddie Nketiah, Thomas Partey and Hector Bellerin are also sidelined but Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Martin Odegaard should be involved.

Match preview

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta already finds himself in a sticky situation after watching his side lose their opening two Premier League matches and they may not have things all their own way in Wednesday's EFL Cup clash with West Brom at The Hawthorns.

The Gunners failed to qualify for Europe for the first time in 25 years last season so are entering the competition at the second-round stage, and the trip to the West Midlands already feels like a must-win fixture for Arteta.

The Spaniard is even-money to be the first Premier League manager to vacate his post this season following back-to-back 2-0 defeats against Brentford and Chelsea, and on Saturday they are tasked with a dreaded trip to champions Manchester City.

Arteta’s job has been made harder by key absentees and their injury problems have only worsened in the last two weeks. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang returned from the bench in Sunday’s limp loss to London rivals Chelsea, but Alexandre Lacazette and Thomas Partey, amongst others, were again missing.

Arteta also has big problems to address in defence with ace left-back Kieran Tierney joining summer £50 million-recruit Ben White and Gabriel on the sidelines.

That is likely to leave two of Callum Chambers, Rob Holding or Pablo Mari at the heart of Arsenal's defence and with confidence low after a sluggish start to the season, West Brom should fancy their chances.

The Baggies have started the campaign in complete contrast to Arsenal, collecting ten points from their opening four Championship fixtures.

West Brom have taken well to Valerien Ismael’s methods and their high-intensity brand should give Arsenal plenty of cause for concern.

Ismael’s men have netted 11 goals in their four league outings and he may opt against making too many changes in a bid to maintain positivity.

The problem for the Baggies is that they too have not been overly convincing at the back and Arteta may call on a strong attacking line-up with Aubameyang, Lacazette and Bukayo Saka all needing minutes under their belt.

West Brom have conceded five times this season with Championship rivals Luton and Bournemouth both breaching their defence twice.

Arsenal carry a far greater attacking threat than any of the Baggies’ recent opponents and with Arteta needing a positive result, backing both teams to score may be the best approach.

Key stat

West Brom's last eight matches have each featured at least three goals.

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