West Brom v Southampton: Tight Baggies to beat open Saints
Published:West Brom have lost their last two Premier League matches, but a home fixture against Southampton offers them a way of picking up all three points again.
The home side are currently ninth in the top flight and will welcome the sight of 19th-place visitors at the Hawthorns, with odds to win available at 3/4.
Steve Clarke’s team have kept in tight at both ends this season as they have taken up residence in the divisions top half of the table.
Just 11 goals conceded in nine games makes them joint-sixth in the list of the league’s meanest defences, while at the other end of the spectrum Southampton have let in for fun, being breached 26 times.
Nigel Adkins’ back-four have had problems all season, and with the Baggies yet to fire a blank on home soil in 2012/13 you wouldn’t bet against Southampton conceding more here.
However, the last three fixtures between these two sides in the West Midlands have ended in draws, and a fourth straight tie can be backed at 11/4.
Southampton are 7/2 to take all three points, having only tasted victory on the road once this season, in the League Cup.
The Saints are often involved in goal-fests in the league, and have only once failed to score themselves – against Wigan – so backing West Brom to win with both teams scoring adds value to your betslip at 12/5.
Due to the potential attacking ability on both sides this game could well see over 3.5 goals, which is priced at 6/4.
In the goalscoring markets, the hosts’ top scorer Shane Long is the 5/1 favourite to open the scoring against Southampton.
Romelu Lukaku often starts from the bench, but has been prolific since his loan switch from Chelsea and is at 7/4 to score anytime.
For the away side Rickie Lambert is most likely to break the deadlock at 7/1, or 9/4 to strike across the 90.
Former Burnley forward Jay Rodriguez scored against Spurs, and if given the chance versus West Brom could pounce at 3/1 anytime.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
