Southampton - West Brom

Southampton

On the back of defeating Leeds United on the final day, Southampton made the trip to The Hawthorns on Sunday with the confidence of recording a second notable away win in succession.

However, while Russell Martin's side may not have left the West Midlands with a first-leg lead, a first clean sheet since April 16 was more than acceptable in the circumstances.

West Brom wasted several opportunities to take the lead against the Saints, and although Martin's side can claim to have had their own chances, both teams had reason to be satisfied with a share of the spoils.

Southampton have ended the season with just three goals in their final five away fixtures, but they have posted a far greater return at home, aside from the 1-0 reverse against Stoke City last time out.

During the first half of April, Southampton netted eight goals in three consecutive home wins, and Martin will hope that they can rediscover that kind of form on the South coast.

West Bromwich(WBA)

In the reverse fixture back in November, West Brom had been on level terms heading into the final 15 minutes, only to ultimately succumb to a 2-1 defeat.

With a 2-0 loss and goalless draw coming at the The Hawthorns, it means that Carlos Corberan takes his side into the biggest game of their season having failed to overcome Southampton in three attempts during 2023-24.

On a more positive note, West Brom have kept two clean sheets in a row for the first time in 2024, having defeated Preston North End 3-0 before the stalemate on Sunday.

Nevertheless, Corberan has not witnessed his team record a win away from home since March 10, when they thrashed struggling Huddersfield Town.

Corberan observed against Leicester City at the King Power Stadium that, even in defeat, West Brom can trouble the best teams in the division, yet with his team having scored just four times in five games, and with three of them coming in the same game, he will have to accept their tag of underdogs for this contest.

Prediction: Southampton 2-1 West Bromwich Albion

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