Prediction: West Brom vs Southampton

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 10/11

Hoping that a solid FA Cup run will improve the atmosphere around the Hawthorns, Alan Pardew’s bottom of the table Baggies will host fellow relegation candidates Southampton in the FA Cup fifth-round.

Despite going three matches unbeaten at the start of the new year, Alan Pardew’s West Brom side have recently slumped back to their old ways and are now the firm favorites to be relegated come the end of the season. On Monday night, the Baggies slumped to a 3-0 defeat away at Stamford Bridge and will rue their missed chances. Now sat bottom of the Premier League table, the Midlands side are now seven points adrift of safety and have conceded nine goals in their last three matches. Although Pardew’s side may be struggling in the league, West Brom will be looking to replicate their performance in the last round that saw them beat Liverpool 3-2 at Anfield.

Team News

Only lasting three minutes against Chelsea on Monday night, on loan forward Daniel Sturridge will miss two weeks after picking up a minor hamstring injury. West Brom are also still without trio James Morrison, Nacer Chadli and Jake Livermore through injury, the latter is expected to return to action by the side’s match against Huddersfield at the end of February.

Skipper Jonny Evans, left-back Kieran Gibbs and midfielder Grzegorz Krychowiak are all available after their respective injury spells.

Southampton

After suffering a 2-0 home defeat to Liverpool last weekend, Southampton’s six-match unbeaten run came to an abrupt end. Despite only losing once since the start of January, Mauricio Pellegrino saints still find themselves at the center of a relegation battle. Sat 18th in the Premier League table, the south coast club are now one point adrift of safety hope that a solid FA Cup run will improve the atmosphere around St. Mary’s. The Saints will, however, be relieved to see that they have managed to find the back of the net. Despite averaging under a goal every two games at the start of the season, Pellegrino’s side have now scored at least once in eight of their last nine appearances.

Southampton manager Mauricio Pellegrino has no fresh injury concerns in his squad, forward Manolo Gabbiadini looks to have recovered from a slight hip injury but Charlie Austin remains on the sidelines with a torn hamstring.

Key Factors to Consider

Conclusion

Although West Brom may have failed to find the net on Monday night, the Baggies did create a handful of opportunities and will fancy their chances against a Southampton side who have only managed to keep one clean sheet in their last seven appearances. Much like their hosts on Saturday afternoon, the Saints find themselves in a similar position, while Pellegrino’s side have suffered due to some recent defensive errors, Southampton have improved on their recent form in the final third. Despite not registering a goal against Liverpool last weekend, the south coast side have scored at least once in eight of their last nine.

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 10/11