West Brom v Harrogate Town: EFL Cup predictions and free tips

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

Where to watch

Sky Sports Football, 6pm Wednesday

Best bet

Draw-West Brom double result
1pt 3-1 general

Team news

West Brom
Kenneth Zohore (calf) is out and Matt Phillips (back) and Conor Townsend (ankle) are doubts.

Harrogate Town
Goalkeeper James Belshaw (thumb) is not expected to return to training until next week.

Match preview

Harrogate Town have had a fantastic start to life as an EFL club and they could put up some stiff resistance against Premier League West Brom in the EFL Cup second round.

It took Harrogate 106 years to work their way up to the Football League and they got off to a perfect start by winning 4-0 away to Southend in Sky Bet League Two on Saturday.

Town manager Simon Weaver will be aware that his charges were up against a youthful Southend side (average age 22.3), who were crippled by a series of injuries.

But Harrogate did the job impressively and have shortened from 8-1 to 7-1 in bet365's promotion betting.

They also impressed on their EFL Cup debut at Tranmere last week, drawing 1-1 before winning 8-7 on penalties.

Weaver's side had the better of the game against Tranmere, who were operating two divisions higher than them just over six months ago, and they are unlikely to be daunted by the challenge of taking on a top-flight side.

The strength of promoted National League clubs was further demonstrated in the first round by Barrow, who drew 0-0 away to Derby before losing 3-2 on penalties.

Harrogate will hope to push Albion all the way and their chances should be increased by the selection policy of West Brom manager Slaven Bilic, who is planning wholesale changes.

If Bilic was in any way unsure of the sizeable gap between Premier League and Championship football he was given an reality check on Sunday as the Baggies lost 3-0 at home to Leicester.

Albion managed just one shot on target and their attack looked a long way short of top-flight quality.

Bilic has been chasing a striker and needs to get the right one if his team are to have a decent chance of avoiding relegation.

Even a second-string Albion side should create chances against League Two opposition but a confident, highly-motivated Harrogate will be tough to break down and can keep the score level until after half-time.

Key stat

Harrogate have trailed at the break in just one of their last 11 matches.

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