Albion Under-21s will host Exeter City in their first Premier League Cup group game on Wednesday night (ko 7pm).
The young Baggies picked up their maiden win of the campaign last week in the PL International Cup against Juventus, and they will be hoping to use the confidence gained from a victorious display to get a positive run of form going.
Leigh Downing's team are competing in Group E this term where they will play the Grecians, Brentford and Luton twice, both home and away, looking to progress to the knockout stages.
Last time out
Although Monday will be Albion 21s' first match in the 2025/26 competition, the club's history in the tournament is a largely positive one.
Having lifted the trophy in 2022, the Baggies reached the quarter-finals of the PL Cup last term - bowing out after a 3-2 defeat to Queens Park Rangers.
Venue
Downing's group will play at the home of Albion Women on Wednesday evening - the Alexander Stadium.
It will be the first time the club's academy hopefuls have played at the arena, located in Perry Barr, and they will be keen to kick their record off there with an encouraging performance.
Pre-match thoughts
Evan Humphries hopes the PL2 team's recent upturn in form can be a motivator for continuing their positive moment in Wednesday's PL Cup tie against Exeter.
The defender played a prominent part in the young Baggies' eye-catching victory against Juventus - setting up Jack Bray's first goal of the game to create breathing space between the teams at The Hawthorns last week.
But the importance of what goes on in the backline hasn't been lost on Gloucestershire-born Humphries, who says clean sheets will be the key to success for Albion's youngsters this term - something he hopes to keep another of on Wednesday to help the 21s begin their adventure in another tournament with a win.
"We know Exeter won't be an easy match," said Humphries.
"They have a good team, as they've shown already in their opening tournament matches, but we will prepare properly and be ready for the threats they pose.
"We feel good at the minute, but going into last week's game against Juventus - having not won a game all season - was definitely a challenge.
"Still, we saw it as a good one and an occasion we were ready to take advantage of.
"Switching formations recently has definitely helped us in and out of possession, and it proved to be the case with the result we got against Juve.
"Being able to adapt to the different challenges is what will set you apart from an U21s player and someone pushing into the first-team picture because, when you go into senior football, you may face Barcelona one week and then the next you could be facing a team which play in a completely different way.
"That will be the case on Wednesday and Exeter have won both of their first two group games - beating Brentford in one of them, who got to the final of last year's PL Cup.
"We have a good idea of how they'll approach the match, but facing different styles is part of the process in football and we have to adapt to the varying methods teams use against us.
"The coaches have spoken, more to the forwards, about creating chances but then it's down to us in the defence to keep clean sheets.
"If you keep clean sheets, you aren't going to lose matches. We've only done that once this year and when you do that, you are relying on your attackers to score a couple at least to keep you in games.
"There's a feeling around the group now where we know we can keep clean sheets, score more goals and we're looking to carry that forward now."
How to follow
Tickets will be available for Albion's Premier League Cup tie against Exeter on Wednesday night.
For those wishing to secure their ticket ahead to the game online, click here.
Supporters can buy tickets on the gate on the day of the game at the Alexander Stadium.
They are priced at £4 adults, and £2 for Under-17s and 65+. As with other Premier League youth cup competitions, free entry for season ticket holders is not available for any of this year's matches in the PL Cup.
Parking for supporters will be available at the Alex on Wednesday. Those attending will be directed by stewards upon entry and asked to park on either the car park adjacent to the High Performance Centre, or the overflow section situated to the south side of the stadium.
Alternatively, WBA TV+ subscribers will be able to watch a live stream of the game here from 6.50pm.
Supporters can keep up-to-date with Wednesday's PL Cup match across the club’s social media channels, with half-time, full-time, and goal updates as they go in.
