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Southampton versus West Brom preview – 04/08/17

By Chris Hughes

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 31: Virgil van Dijk of Southampton walks off the pitch after sent off during the Premier League match between Southampton and West Bromwich Albion at St Mary's Stadium on December 31, 2016 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 31: Virgil van Dijk of Southampton walks off the pitch after sent off during the Premier League match between Southampton and West Bromwich Albion at St Mary's Stadium on December 31, 2016 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images) /
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This Saturday Southampton will be looking to make it three games without a loss, as they travel to The Hawthorns to play West Brom. Kick off is 3:00 PM local time.

After an impressive comeback win against Crystal Palace on Wednesday, the Saints will be looking to come out victorious in their must-win game against West Brom tomorrow.

Claude Puel’s side are seven points behind the Baggies but have two games in hand, meaning a victory could give them a shot at finishing eighth.

Tony Pulis’ team are a whole seven points behind sixth-placed Everton themselves, so will hoping to not show any signs of complacency tomorrow.

The Saints could once again be without striker Manolo Gabbiadini, who has missed the side’s last two games through injury.

But it isn’t just the Italian who could miss the trip, with Sofiane Boufal and Steven Davis both doubts for the game. This adds to a long list of absentees, which for the next two games will include the suspended Oriol Romeu.

WATFORD, ENGLAND – MARCH 04: Nathan Redmond of Southampton celebrates scoring his sides third goal during the Premier League match between Watford and Southampton at Vicarage Road on March 4, 2017 in Watford, England. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images)
WATFORD, ENGLAND – MARCH 04: Nathan Redmond of Southampton celebrates scoring his sides third goal during the Premier League match between Watford and Southampton at Vicarage Road on March 4, 2017 in Watford, England. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images) /

The long list of suspensions and injuries means increased pressure will be heaped on Nathan Redmond ahead of the fixture, and the England international will play a key role.

Not only is he the Saints’ highest scoring player available for selection, but his natural pace will also cause trouble for West Brom, who naturally set up with slower, albeit more defensively disciplined defenders.

For the Baggies Matt Phillips will arguably be their biggest threat, with the Scottish winger setting up a goal and getting on the score-sheet himself when West Brom beat the Saints in the reverse fixture.

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As always, Tony Pulis’ side will also look to be a threat from dead-ball situations, with Gareth McAuley proving lethal in front of goal from corners this season.

But the Saints will look to counter that with their own centre-back pairing, with Jack Stephens and Maya Yoshida looking more-and-more comfortable at the back together in recent games.  The two may never be the Saints’ first choice defenders, but they can be proud of their efforts in recent weeks.

As aforementioned, the Baggies came out as winners when the two teams met back in December, and Hal Robson-Kanu was the other scorer for West Brom on that occasion.

The Saints’ goal came courtesy of Shane Long, who will hope to continue his rich vein of form against his former side in order to break his current goal drought. The Irishman hasn’t scored in the league since mid-February.

Kick-off at the Hawthorns is 3:00 PM local time.