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Verdict: Both teams to score
Best Odds: 4/5
Bookmaker: Unibet
Knowing they face another must-win showdown on Monday evening, West Brom will welcome Southampton to an empty Hawthorns.
West Brom
Starting with the hosts, while West Brom might have failed to immediately find their feet under Sam Allardyce back in December, The Baggies shocked almost everyone across Europe last week. Marking their return from the international break with what was a rampant display at Stamford Bridge, the one-time England boss saw his side land a stunning 5-2 win against Champions League outfit Chelsea. Bringing an end to their three-match winless run from last month, fans around the midlands will still know that their side face an incredibly uphill task if they’re to hang onto their Premier League status. Still sat in pole position to be handed an immediate Championship return this year, West Brom open Monday’s meeting sat 11 points adrift of safety with eight top-flight matchups remaining. Desperate to pick up back-to-back Premier League wins for the first time this season, Allardyce will be calling on his side to find some stability on home soil. Including a 0-0 stalemate against Newcastle last time out at The Hawthorns, Monday’s hosts have won just one of their last 11 home fixtures.
Team News
West Brom defender Dara O’Shea is expected to overcome an ankle problem in time to face Southampton on Monday.
However, Branislav Ivanovic faces an extended spell out because of a hamstring injury sustained against Chelsea last weekend.
Southampton
As for the visitors, while some in Southampton’s camp might have felt they were getting dragged into a relegation scrap earlier in the year, The Saints have all but confirmed their Premier League status for another season. With an FA Cup semi-final meeting against Leicester on the cards at Wembley next weekend, the South Coast outfit mounted a shock comeback on home soil when returning from March’s international break last week. Despite falling 2-0 behind Burnley at St. Mary’s, Head Coach Ralph Hasenhüttl saw his side eventually snatch a dramatic 3-2 win and they will be desperate to keep up that momentum on Monday evening. Only showing a host of issues after briefly climbing to the top of the Premier League table back in November, the former RB Leipzig boss will be calling on attacking ace Danny Ings to lead their charge in the midlands. Once again finding the net against his former employers last time out, the England international has racked up 11 goals across all formats so far this season.
Team News
Kyle Walker-Peters, who has a leg injury, is Southampton’s only new fitness concern but the full-back has not been ruled out.
Oriol Romeu, Will Smallbone and Michael Obafemi are long-term absentees.
Key Factors to Consider
- When the two sides faced off in the reverse fixture back in October, Southampton picked up a 2-0 win at St. Mary’s.
- West Brom’s stunning 5-2 win away at Chelsea last weekend was just their second Premier League victory in their last 12 matchups.
- Likewise, The Baggies have recorded just a single win in their previous 11 contests at The Hawthorns.
- Southampton have not recorded back-to-back Premier League wins since opening 2021.
- The Saints have also lost six of their last seven Premier League matchups on the road.
Conclusion
After landing what was a stunning 5-2 win away at former champions Chelsea last week, there is no doubt that West Brom will find the mood in their camp at a recent high. Watching Newcastle pick up maximum points against Burnley on Sunday lunchtime, The Baggies know that they are in a real race against time if they’re to somehow extend on their Premier League status. However, showing some extended issues on home soil, we could have an end-to-end affair once again on our hands. With Southampton mounting that eye-catching comeback after falling 2-0 down against Burnley last week, The Saints have their sights set on securing back-to-back wins for the first time in 2021. Gaining a recent reputation for their lively affair, we’re backing both teams to find the net.
Verdict: Both teams to score
Best Odds: 4/5
Bookmaker: Unibet
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