Southampton got their first win of the Premier League season on matchday 3 with a victory over Burnley, 1-0. Now, Ralph Hassenhuttl aims to take the Saints to a second straight win and up the table.
West Brom have not found life back in the Premier League to be successful. Slaven Bilic’s side lost back to back games to open the season. They nearly got a famous win last weekend against Chelsea but conceded three goals late to slump to a 3-3 draw at home.
Southampton and West Brom have not played since the 2017-18 season. They met three times that season in the Premier League and FA Cup. Southampton won all three of those games outscoring the Baggies 6-3.
The Saints are –3 in goal difference heading into matchday 4. Worryingly for Hassenhuttl is that Danny Ings has scored all three goals for Southampton this term.
The manager needs the rest of his attacking players to step up. However, the quality in the squad isn’t great and Ings is carrying the side.
West Brom have conceded the most goals in the Premier League after three games. They have allowed 11 goals while scoring five times. All three games played by West Brom saw 3.0 goals or more scored. Bilic desperately needs his team to improve defensively.
Hassenhuttl has just two injury and fitness issues currently. Nathan Redmond is ruled out through a long-term ankle injury. It is hoped the winger will be back in mid-October after the international break.
The manager could give summer signing Mohamed Salisu his debut in the league. Salisu has not featured in the Premier League as yet due to lacking match fitness.
Bilic will be without Kieran Gibbs after he was sent off against Everton on matchday 2. Midfielder Kenneth Zohore is ruled out due to his own injury problems.
Defenders Ahmed Hegazi and Branislav Ivanovic could both miss out as neither are 100% fully fit. Kamil Grosicki is unlikely to play due to his own injury problems. He is fighting a back problem.
Sunday’s game should be a closely contested game. Neither side have been good in the final third and in Southampton’s case, goalscoring has been done by one player.
The game should be closely contested with over 2.5 goals scored. Expect Southampton and West Brom to finish in a score draw as the two teams share the points at St. Mary’s Stadium.