West Brom and Walsall learn opponents in League Cup first round draw

West Brom will host Derby County at Hawthorns and Walsall travel to the Bet365 Stadium to face Championship side Stoke City in the League Cup first round.

The Baggies face an all-Championship tie against the Rams, while Walsall could be set for a reunion with former loanees Tommy Simkin and Nathan Lowe. 

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Both ties will take place on the week commencing August 11.

The Baggies, winners of this competition in 1966 and twice runners-up, were beaten 2-1 by League Two side Fleetwood Town in the first round last season.

Mat Sadler guided Walsall into the third round of the competition for the first time since 2015, after beating League One sides Exeter City and Huddersfield Town respectively last term. 

The Saddlers battled for an impressive goalless stalemate against then Premier League outfit Leicester City at Bescot, but fell to a 3-0 defeat on penalties in September 2024. 

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