West Bromvs.Southampton

These two teams both prevailed in their final matches of the regular campaign as they finished in fifth and fourth position in the standings respectively.

Match preview

Although there was a time when Southampton were contenders for automatic promotion, it was always more likely that they would need to take the playoff route to earn a return to the Premier League.

Prevailing just three times during a nine-game period either side of the March international break put paid to their chances, as did a recent three-match losing streak.

Southampton conceded eight times in just 270 minutes of football, scoring just the once, but Russell Martin's side were able to respond on the final day of the season against Leeds United.

The Saints ran out 2-1 victors at Elland Road to end the regular season on a positive note, finishing with 87 points and ending a four-match away streak without a win.

Martin will be hopeful that his players have now turned a corner at the right time, yet they face a tough ask to claim a win at The Hawthorns.

That is despite Southampton already winning the corresponding fixture in February by a 2-0 scoreline, inflicting a rare home defeat on West Brom.

Throughout the campaign, the Baggies have won 15 and lost just four of their fixtures on familiar territory, as well as conceding just the 17 goals.

Coincidentally, Carlos Corberan's side had also suffered three straight defeats before they overcame the challenge of Preston North End last weekend.

West Brom had gone into that contest on the back of a 3-0 loss at Sheffield Wednesday, their heaviest defeat all season, so they deserve credit for the manner in which they bounced back with a 3-0 triumph when under pressure to retain a top-six spot.

West Bromwich Albion Championship form:

D

W

L

L

L

W

Southampton Championship form:

W

W

L

L

L

W

Team News

If Corberan makes a change to his West Brom starting lineup, it will likely see Jed Wallace replace Tom Fellows on the right flank.

John Swift is expected to remain among the replacements, while Jayson Molumby and Daryl Dike are the only two injury absentees for the Baggies.

Meanwhile, Martin must decide whether to stick with the 3-5-2 formation that worked effectively against Leeds last time out.

Providing that Che Adams is passed fit, it is plausible that the same Southampton team could be selected, with Ross Stewart back in contention from the substitutes' bench.

Gavin Bazunu, Juan Larios and Stuart Armstrong are all unavailable due to injury.

West Bromwich Albion possible starting lineup:

Palmer; Furlong, Bartley, Kipre, Townsend; Yokuslu, Mowatt; Wallace, Diangana, Johnston; Thomas-Asante

Southampton possible starting lineup:

McCarthy; Walker-Peters, Harwood-Bellis, Bednarek, Stephens, Manning; Smallbone, Downes, Aribo; Armstrong, Adams

We say: West Bromwich Albion 1-1 Southampton

Southampton's tails are up after their success at Leeds and that may not bode well for West Brom. However, we feel that the Baggies will show enough fight to earn a share of the spoils, the bare minimum that they may require to stay in this tie.

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