THE OPPOSITION
It's been a tough start to life back in the top flight for The Baggies after heavy defeats to Leicester City and Everton in their opening two fixtures. Following a 3-0 defeat at home to The Foxes, Dominic Calvert-Lewin's hat-trick inspired Everton to a 5-2 win at Goodison Park on Saturday.
Sandwiched between those two top flights defeats, progress was made in the Carabao Cup with a 3-0 victory over Harrogate Town setting up tonight's meeting. Rekeem Harper, Hal Robson-Kanu (pictured above), and Callum Robinson getting the goals last Wednesday.
Slaven Bilic made ten changes for that victory over the EFL newboys, giving playing time to the likes of Charlie Austin, Kamil Grosicki, Cedric Kipre, and Kyle Edwards. Conor Gallagher can't play against his parent club, Chelsea, this weekend so may be involved but otherwise The Baggies line-up is expected to be similar again tonight.
THE MANAGER
Slaven Bilić was announced as West Bromwich Albion's new manager in June 2019, taking The Baggies up at the first time of asking.
The Croatian defender began his career in 1988 with hometown club Hajduk Split, later having successful spells with Karlsruher SC, West Ham United and Everton. At international level, Bilić won 44 caps between 1992 and 1999, playing in Euro 1996 and the 1998 FIFA World Cup, helping the team to third place at the latter.
Bilić returned to Hajduk in 1999 and retired two years later. Following a short spell in charge of the team during the 2001-02 season, Bilić coached the Croatian Under-21s before stepping up to the senior side in 2006. He led the team to the quarter-finals of the 2008 European Championship and left after the next edition four years later. Lokomotiv Moscow was next on his CV before he spent two years apiece managing Turkish club Beşiktaş and West Ham. A five month spell with Saudi side Al-Ittihad, which ended in February 2019 after just three wins in 15 games, preceded his arrival in the West Midlands.
TEAM NEWS
Aside from Mads Roerslev, Thomas Frank has no major injury issues to contend with. David Raya returned to the matchday squad against Huddersfield Town on Saturday although Mathias Jensen has missed the last two matches with a foot issue.
It is expected to be all change for The Baggies tonight as they seek to juggle league and cup priorities. Big money summer signings Matheus Pereira and Grady Diangana are unlikely to be involved but former Bee David Button will likely start in goal following his summer move from Brighton and Hove Albion.
PRE-MATCH VIEWS
🆚 Joe Chapman of Birmingham Live looks ahead to tonight's game
⚖ Darren England set to take charge at The Hawthorns
LAST MEETING
HOW TO FOLLOW
The only way to watch The Bees against The Baggies tonight is at carabaocup.live. Buy your Match Pass and watch as we take on Slaven Bilic's side.
Buy your Match Pass