Prediction: Southampton vs West Brom

Verdict: 1-1

Best Odds: 11/2

Bookmaker: Bet365

For our Saturday evening instalment of Premier League action, 10th place West Brom will be looking to pick up their first win since mid-August as they travel down the East coast to a Southampton side who only sit one place below their guests in 11th position.

Southampton

This season, Mauricio Pellegrino side have shown that they are not the biggest fans of playing at St. Mary’s, coming off the back of last weekend’s 2-2 draw with Newcastle, The Saints have now only won just one of their previous 10 Premier League appearances and more worryingly for Southampton, in eight of them 10 games Southampton have failed to register a single goal.

Although they might be sat in 11th position, the St. Mary’s fans will know that they will be needing more than their two recent goals to boost their confidence, Southampton currently sit just three points above the Premier League relegation zone.

Southampton’s problems this year have been epitomised by their struggles in front of goal, last season’s League Cup finalists have only managed to score five goals at home this season. Southampton will be reliant on Italian international Manolo Gabbiadini to lead their attack, after scoring two against Newcastle last time out, Gabbiadini will be looking to add to his tally, unlike strike partner Shane Long who has now gone 25 games for both club and county without scoring a single goal.

Team News

Mauricio Pellegrino looks set to name the same starting 11 that faced Newcastle a week ago, Southampton will only be without full-back Jeremy Pied and fellow defender Matt Targett will also be missing the match-up as he is still recovering from an ankle injury.

West Brom

Much like their opponents on Saturday evening, West Brom are also a side that have been struggling in the Premier League recently. Tony Pulis’ side have not won a single match since August 19th when they came away 1-0 winners against Burnley. The Baggies are also entering the contest coming off the back of a draw after Leicester managed to pick up a late point on Monday night, this means that West Brom have not won a match in their last seven attempts.

Fielding the oldest team in the Premier League this season, Pulis’ side have proven that they are no pushover and are still a side that will not just hand you three points. However, The Baggies do carry one of the worst away record’s in England’s top flight, having only come away with maximum points just once in their last 13 times on the road.

To add to West Brom’s headaches, even 24 hours out before kick-off, West Brom are still unsure if either of their two senior goalkeepers will be fit to play. With Ben Foster missing out on Monday’s game due to a knee injury, second choice Boaz Myhill was entrusted to keep goal, despite coming away with a point, the veteran goalkeeper had to hobble his way to the full-time whistle.

Team News

Earlier this week Baggies boss Tony Pulis announced that he still remains hopeful that either Foster or Myhill will be fit for Saturday’s clash with The Saints. Both goalkeepers have trained this week, but, Pulis is still unsure if either shot-stopper will be passed match fit.

West Brom will also be without a trio of key players, midfielders James Morrison and new signing Oliver Burke are still not ready to join up with the squad. Also sidelined is Wales international striker Hal Robson-Kanu.

Key Factors to Consider

• Of all teams to have met in at least seven different Premier League campaigns, Southampton vs West Bromwich Albion has the lowest goals-per-game ratio
• West Brom are unbeaten in three of their last five games at Southampton following a winless run of 19 matches
• Southampton have won one of their last 10 Premier League home fixtures
• West Brom have only managed one win in their last 13 appearances away from home
• West Brom and Southampton have each won two, drawn two, and lost two of their last six meetings with one another.

Conclusion

Given the fact that Southampton boast a dreadful record at home and West Brom hold a similar poor run of form away from home, it is hard to see either side coming away with three points here.

Despite Southampton two goals last week, The Saints have struggled to consistently find the back of the net and given West Brom’s resilence, it doesn’t seem likely that Southampton will be duplicating their record. However, the stats speak for themselves and out of every Premier League side to meet on more than seven occasions, Southampton vs West Brom has the lowest goals per game ration in England’s top flight.

A score draw looks like the safest bet here, West Brom are also coming into the contest with two consecutive draws so it looks like both teams would be happy with a point under the circumstances.

Verdict: 1-1

Best Odds: 11/2

Bookmaker: Bet365