WEST BROMWICH ALBION v OXFORD UNITED
Capital One Cup 2nd Round
Tuesday 26th August 2014, 8:00pm
The Hawthorns

With the pressures of the Premier League put on the backburner for the night, Albion taste cup football for the first time this season with the visit of League Two side Oxford United to The Hawthorns.

Baggies’ fans will be hoping to witness the club’s first victory of the season following two draws, the latest away at Southampton on Saturday. Whilst the draw at St Mary’s was a fair result, the performance from Alan Irvine’s men again suggested that the much predicted struggle this season is by no means a formality. Although Albion struggled at times to create sufficient goalscoring chances, the team as a whole showed plenty of organisation and determination, ingredients that were lacking way too often last season.

Oxford travel to the West Midlands sitting at the bottom of the Football League after starting the season with four successive defeats. The man in charge of the U’s is a familiar face to Baggies’ supporters - former player and coach Michael Appleton. Despite being lauded for his coaching ability Appleton has suffered an undistinguished start to his managerial career with short unsuccessful spells at Portsmouth, Blackpool and Blackburn Rovers although admittedly against a backdrop of internal strife at both Pompey and Rovers.

The game could see the first Hawthorns’ appearances of some of Albion’s recent signings. All eyes will be on record signing Brown Ideye after his impressive 30 minute run-out at St Mary’s on Saturday whilst Costa Rican full-back Cristian Gamboa and England defender Joleon Lescott could also make their Albion debuts. Supporters will be hoping for a glimpse of the club’s two latest signings, Georgios Samaras and Silvestre Varela, although it's unlikely either will figure.

Albion go into the game as massive favourites and it would be a major shock if they don’t make it to the third round. It’s unlikely Oxford will be pushovers however,  with all four of their defeats being by the odd goal it suggests they could be a fairly tough team to break down and with Albion so far struggling to create chances the game could be a lot closer than many predict.

ATWD Prediction: Albion 2-1 Oxford United

MATCH NOTES

The game will be the 23rd competitive meeting between Albion and Oxford United. The Baggies currently have 11 wins to their name compared to United's five.

The last meeting of the two sides came back in March 1999 when goals from James Quinn and Enzo Maresca gave Albion a 2-0 win at The Hawthorns.

The last time Albion played a game on August 26 came in 2009 when they beat Rotherham United 4-3 after extra time in a 2nd round Carling Cup tie at The Hawthorns.

Oxford's last game on this date came in 2006 when they beat Northwich Victoria 5-1 in a Conference clash at the Kassam Stadium.

Albion's last six games: Southampton (A) 0-0; Sunderland (H) 2-2; FC Porto (H, Fr) 1-3; Port Vale (A, Fr) 2-3; Nottingham Forest (A, Fr) 0-1; Sacramento Republic (A, Fr) 3-1.

Oxford's last six games: Portsmouth (H) 0-1; Morecambe (A) 0-1; Mansfield Town (A) 1-2; Bristol City (A, LC) 2-1; Burton Albion (H) 0-1; AFC Bournemouth (H, Fr) 1-4.

TEAM NEWS

Albion

Gareth McAuley could make his first appearance of the season after missing out so far due to a calf problem.

Costa Rican star Cristian Gamboa could also make his debut for the club whilst record signing Brown Ideye looks likely to make his first start.

England defender Joleon Lescott has returned to training but is unlikely to be risked.

James Morrison (knee) remains out whilst Sebastien Pocognoli and Victor Anichebe both picked up knocks in the draw at Southampton on Saturday.

Oxford United

United’s new signing Will Hoskins is unlikely to figure whilst goalkeeper Ryan Clarke (foot) and defender Andy Whing (hip) are still sidelined.

MATCH ODDS

Result

Albion Win: 1/4, Oxford United Win: 7/1, Draw: 4/1.

First Goalscorer

Albion: Ideye 9/4, Berahino 3/1, Samaras 3/1, Anichebe 10/3, Sessegnon 4/1, Gardner 11/2, Brunt 15/2, Dorrans 8/1, Mulumbu 14/1, Dawson 14/1, McAuley 16/1, Lescott 20/1, Baird 20/1, Pocognoli 25/1, Olsson 25/1, Yacob 25/1, Davidson 25/1, Wisdom 33/1, O'Neil 33/1, Gamboa 33/1.

Oxford United: Morris 11/1, Hylton 11/1, Jakubiak 12/1, Potter 14/1, Brown 16/1, Roberts 16/1, Rose 20/1, Ruffels 25/1, O'Dowda 25/1, Hunt 33/1, Meades 33/1, Collins 33/1, Mullins 40/1, Riley 40/1.

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REFEREE

James Adcock (Nottinghamshire)

Adcock has never previously officiated an Albion game.

The Lancashire official last took charge of an Oxford game back in August 2011 for the 1-1 draw at home to Bradford City.

Adcock has issued 17 yellow cards in the 5 games he has officiated so far this season.

TICKET INFORMATION

Tickets are currently on general sale to home supporters priced £10 for all categories except under-17s, who will pay £5. These prices apply to tickets purchased in advance of the day of the game on the club's online ticketing facility. All tickets bought on matchday will increase to £15 for all categories except under-17s, who will pay £10.

WEATHER FORECAST

Dry with light cloud, 15°C.

FIXTURE HISTORY

LAST MEETING AT THE HAWTHORNS

Albion 2-0 Oxford United
League Division One
Saturday 6 March 1999, 3:00pm

Albion: Whitehead, McDermott, Potter, Flynn, Burgess, Carbon, Quinn, Sneekes, de Freitas, Hughes (Maresca 16, Bortolazzi 85), Kilbane. Sub not used: S Murphy

Goalscorers: Quinn 38, Maresca 77

Booked: Bortolazzi 89 (foul)

Oxford United: Gerrard, Robinson, Powell (Remy 66), Gray, Watson, Gilchrist, Cook (Banger 71), Tait, Francis (M Murphy 54), Thomson, Beauchamp.

Booked: Gerrard 9 (foul), Francis 21 (foul), Tait 39 (foul), Gray 44 (encroachment)

Sent Off: Beauchamp 50 (dissent)

Attendance: 13,853

Referee: Steve Bennett (Orpington)

CURRENT CONNECTIONS

Oxford boss Michael Appleton had a two and a half year spell as a player at The Hawthorns before injury ended his career in November 2003. He later coached at various levels with the Baggies before leaving the club in 2011 to take over as Portsmouth boss. He was named as Oxford's Head Coach in July 2014.

United CEO Mark Ashton started out in football as a goalkeeper in Albion's youth and reserve teams during the late 1980s.

Mickey Lewis started his playing career at The Hawthorns in the early 1980s before moving onto Derby County and then Oxford. He spent over 10 years as a player with United and later took up a coaching role with the club. He is currently assistant Head Coach to Appleton.

PAST CONNECTIONS

Amongst the players to have turned out at various levels for both clubs are: Mark Angel, Gary Bannister, Bobby Barker, Mosiah Blake, Tony Dobson, John Durnin, Phil Gilchrist, Bruce Grobbelaar, Peter Hucker, Matt Keeble, Darren Patterson, Paul Reece, John Trewick, Imre Varadi, Phil Whitehead and Chris Whyte.

ALL-TIME LEAGUE & CUP RECORD V OXFORD UNITED