Southampton vs West Brom: Preview, Prediction & Betting Tips

A place at Wembley is on the line as Southampton and West Brom battle it out in the second leg of the Championship play-off semi-final in a bid to keep their promotion hopes alive.

Date: 17/05/24

Kick-off time: 20:00

Venue: St Mary’s Stadium

This is the most important game of the season for both teams, with the second leg finely poised following a goalless draw at the Hawthorns last weekend. Neither team could make the breakthrough, setting up an intense fixture at St Mary’s in midweek. The first leg was fairly even, though Southampton were much superior in possession. However, they failed to take advantage of any of their opportunities. The two sides combined for just five shots on target, and will hope for more success in front of goal later this week.

The Saints set up the semi-final tie with West Brom thanks to a fourth place finish, with late season form damaging their aspirations of automatic promotion. In their last four games of the Championship campaign, they managed just one win. The Baggies endured some similar form, winning just once in recent games. Both sides’ victories came in the final fixture.

Though there was a lack of goals in the first leg, this is unlikely to continue into the second. In their last five prior to this game, there had been over 2.5 goals in three of them for West Brom. Southampton had seen four games with over 2.5 goals in their last five. The visitors only managed to keep two clean sheets in eight, so Russell Martin’s men should be confident in getting on the scoresheet at home. Their most dangerous threat is Adam Armstrong, who has netted 21 times this season. He is also an effective playmaker, registering 13 assists, leading the team in both categories. Brandon Thomas-Asante leads the way for Albion with 11 strikes.

In two meetings this season, Southampton won both. The first at home was a narrow 2-1 win, with Will Smallbone and Armstrong scoring either side of a Kyle Bartley equaliser. The second at the Hawthorns was a 2-0 win courtesy of goals from Ryan Fraser and David Brooks.

Southampton

Adam Armstrong was substituted with a knock during the first leg, so his fitness is one to keep an eye on. Stuart Armstrong has a hamstring injury that will likely keep him out. Goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu is ruled out with an Achilles injury.

West Brom

West Brom have no new injury concerns from the first leg, and have a relatively fit squad to choose from. Daryl Dike is their only absentee, who is dealing with a leg injury.

Southampton

In their last five games, Southampton have won one, drawn one and lost three. It has been a poor stretch for the Saints which saw them slip away in the automatic promotion race, though they secured a spot in the playoffs. Their fourth place finish set up a meeting with West Brom in the semi-final, with the first leg their most recent game. It finished 0-0 to set up an intriguing second leg.

Southampton ended the Championship season with a 2-1 win at fellow promotion hopefuls Leeds United, as they looked to carry some momentum into the playoffs. Adam Armstrong gave them the lead in the 18th minute, but this was cancelled out almost immediately by Joel Piroe. The winning goal came before half-time, as Will Smallbone found the back of the net. It was a good response to three consecutive defeats, the latest of those being a 1-0 loss at home to Stoke City. The winning goal came from Tyrese Campbell in the 36th minute.

This followed a 5-0 thrashing away at table toppers Leicester, which dealt a huge blow to their hopes. Most of the damage was done late in the second half, with the Foxes taking just a 1-0 lead into the break. Abdul Fatawu scored a hat-trick, whilst Wilfred Ndidi and Jamie Vardy also got their names on the scoresheet. The first game of this run was a 2-1 loss away at Cardiff City. There was late drama in this one as the hosts turned it around to win it at the death. Joe Aribo gave Southampton the lead early, but second half strikes from Famara Diedhiou and Cian Ashford in the 96th minute condemned them to a heartbreaking defeat.

West Brom

In their last five games, West Brom have won one, drawn one and lost three. The Baggies too entered the playoffs in a mixed stretch of form, as they took on Southampton in the first leg of the semi-final. The game ended goalless, with it all to play for at St Mary’s in the second leg.

The final game of the Championship season ended in a comfortable 3-0 win at home to Preston North End. The deadlock was broken on the stroke of half-time from the spot, as Alex Mowatt converted a penalty. The lead was doubled by Kyle Bartley before Darnell Furlong added a third to put the game to bed. This was the perfect response to a defeat at Sheffield Wednesday in which they were on the wrong end of a 3-0 scoreline. Anthony Musaba, Ike Ugbo and Josh Windass were all on the scoresheet for the hosts.

This made it a third loss in a row after they were defeated 2-1 at league leaders Leicester. Wilfred Ndidi and Jamie Vardy gave the Foxes a 2-0 lead before Jed Wallace halved the deficit. The first game of this run was a narrow 1-0 loss at home to Sunderland. They were dealt a big blow as Brandon Thomas-Asante saw red before half-time. Their opponents punished them with the winning goal from Pierre Ekwah a couple of minutes later.

Following a very close first leg, it is all to play for in the second leg. However, we expect Southampton to win at home and book their place in the play-off final. West Brom will keep it close, and get on the scoresheet, but home advantage for the Saints should help them edge it – Southampton 2-1 West Brom

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Southampton vs West Brom will be available to watch on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football.

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