West Brom vs Southampton: Betting Odds & Prediction
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West Brom host Southampton in the first leg of their Sky Bet Championship play-off on Sunday afternoon.
Neither side comes into the match in great form, winning three of their last five. Both managed to return to winning ways on the final day of the season, though. Kick-off is set for 2:15pm UK time at the Hawthorns.
Recent Form
West Brom
The home side picked up their first win after three consecutive losses on the final day, securing a 3-0 home victory over Preston North End. The result ensured West Brom's place among the play-offs, and allowed them to leapfrog Norwich City into fifth.
Despite shaky form in recent weeks, Carlos Corberán's side have impressed on home soil. They've lost just one of their last five at the Hawthorns, and only three sides boast better home records in the Championship this season.
The Baggies have excelled in defence, registering 12 clean sheets in 23 of their home fixtures so far. Only 17 of their 47 goals conceded have came at home, at an average of just 0.74 per game, and West Brom haven't conceded a goal in three of their last five on home turf.
38 goals at home also leaves them with an impressive average of 1.65 per game. The Midlanders have failed to score on only three occasions at home this term.
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Southampton
Russell Martin's side also secured their first win in four last time out when they secured a 2-1 win at Leeds United, who also find themselves in the play-offs. The result secured a fourth-placed finish for the Saints, who stand as the third highest-scoring side in the Championship with 87 goals.
While only 33 of these have came on the road, Southampton have still averaged 1.43 goals per away fixture so far, failing to score in three of these games. The Leeds win was their first win on their travels in four matches, but overall Southampton have impressed away from home. Only two sides have bettered the 1.7 points they've averaged in away fixtures.
Their expansive approach going forward has left them vulnerable at the back, though. They've conceded two or more goals in eight matches already this season, and have only managed two away clean sheets.
Prediction
The defensive of robustness of West Brom comes up against the attacking flair of Southampton, but it's the away side who have already secured two victories over the hosts this term. A 2-1 home win for Southampton was followed by a 2-0 win on the road, and their impressive win at Leeds warrants them entering as narrow favourites.
West Brom also boast an impressive scoring record at home, while Southampton have scored for fun this season, suggesting more goals lie in wait in this one.