Albion Under-21s have their sights set on topping their Premier League Cup group when they host Luton Town on Monday night (7pm).
The young Baggies head into their final group game, and their final match of 2025, knowing their progression into the knockout stages is secured.
Leigh Downing’s side beat Exeter City 2-1 at St James Park in their penultimate match when Souleyman Mandey notched a brace to ensure a place in the round-of-16 – and the hosts can go one better with a win over the Hatters on Monday.
Here’s how Group E looks ahead of the final group game:
| Position | Team | Played | Wins | Draws | Losses | Goal difference | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brentford | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 11 | 12 |
| 2 | Albion | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 10 |
| 3 | Exeter | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | -3 | 7 |
| 4 | Luton Town | 5 | 1 | 0 | 4 | -10 | 3 |
Last time out
Albion triumphed over Exeter in a hard-fought victory in Devon.
Mandey scored two first-half goals to ensure a late Grecians strike wouldn’t disrupt a positive scoreline. Downing's side also beat Luton 5-1 at Kennilworth Road in the reverse fixture.
Venue
The Alexander Stadium will play host to the Baggies on Monday evening.
Downing’s young charges won their most recent fixture at the multi-purpose venue, beating Brentford 1-0, which was also in the PL Cup.
Pre-match thoughts
Kevin Mfuamba and his team-mates know a win on Monday evening will see them top Group E.
The midfielder has been a mainstay in the Baggies’ U21 squad - featuring in many matches across a variety of competitions this season, with the 19-year-old citing how much he's learnt from his experiences in Downing’s ranks.
Mfuamba has set the “aim” of achieving top spot under the lights at the Alex on Monday, and has belief that his team can continue to “progress” through the tournament.
He said: “The performance was really good on Tuesday night. We started off the game very positively on the front foot, making challenges, keeping the ball – and we did well to get an early goal.
“Souley (Mandey) has been in great form since the start of the season. He’s been helping the team score, getting assists, he’s been great!
“It has been a good challenge (to be an older member of the U21s team this term and last Tuesday). All of the younger lads stepped up, did very well and I was just trying my best to help them throughout.
“My development has been really good this season so far. I’m just trying to stay consistent, robust and play as many games as possible. We’ve all enjoyed the variety of competitions this year; we beat Juventus and have played against different men’s teams from around the world.
“As we've gone out of other competitions, though, the aim has been to get into the knockout stages of the PL Cup.
"Especially over the last few years, we’ve done pretty well and it was always the aim to get to the round-of-16 and continue to progress from it.
“We had so many chances to put the game to bed on Tuesday, but football doesn’t always go your way in that regard. We want to win every game and that’s the aim each time and especially heading into Monday night.
“We took a lot of confidence when we beat Luton last time out and we want to implement the same type of principles when we go into it this time. We want to go as far as we can in every competition that we enter.”
How to follow
Tickets will be available for Albion's Premier League Cup tie against Luton Town on Monday night.
For those wishing to secure their ticket ahead of 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 Friday. 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 Monday’s PL Cup match across the club’s social media channels, with half-time, full-time, and goal updates as they go in.
