The Championship semifinals will see West Brom take on Southampton. The former is looking to return to the Premier League after a few years away while the latter aims to return after one season away.
Which team will our AI-powered score predictor forecast to win?
Neither West Brom nor Southampton ended the Championship season in good form. The Baggies won just one of their last four matches in the regular season.
Focused on the challenge ahead. 🔵⚪️#EFLPlayOffs | #WBA pic.twitter.com/Kn9kAwa5mX— West Bromwich Albion (@WBA) May 8, 2024
Focused on the challenge ahead. 🔵⚪️#EFLPlayOffs | #WBA pic.twitter.com/Kn9kAwa5mX
That one win came on the final day of the Championship season. West Brom’s 3-0 win over Preston North End ended a three-match losing streak.
Southampton also experienced a three-match losing streak until the final day of the regular season. The Saints defeated fellow playoff team Leeds United 2-1 at Elland Road.
Of course, this will be the third encounter between West Brom and Southampton this season. The Saints claimed wins in both matches between the clubs in the Championship regular season.
The first encounter saw Southampton win 2-1 thanks to goals from William Smallbone and Adam Armstrong on either side of a Kyle Bartley goal.
The second fixture between the clubs ended in a 2-0 win for Southampton thanks to goals on either side of halftime from Ryan Fraser and David Brooks.
West Brom posted a record of 15W-4D-4L this season at the Hawthorns in the league. They scored 38 goals and conceded 17 times. Two of their last three home fixtures were victories.
The Baggies were one of the Championship’s top scoring teams, with 70 goals. Manager Carlos Corberan had one of the best defensive teams in the league as well. The Baggies conceded 47 goals, the third-fewest.
Southampton were the Championship’s third-best away team, with 39 points. However, only one of their last four away games ended in a victory.
Still, Southampton posted a record of 11W-6D-6L. One of those wins came at the Hawthorns in the regular season.
Manager Russell Martin had the third-best attacking team in the league. Southampton scored 87 goals in the regular season. If there was an issue Southampton had, it was defence. The team conceded 63 goals.
Adam Armstrong scored 21 goals in the Championship. He finished second in the race for the league’s Golden Boot. Che Adams added another 16 league goals.
Brandon Thomas-Asante led West Brom in league goals with 12. He was the Baggies’ only double-digit goal scorer.
Although West Brom play well at home, Southampton should claim a first-leg win at the Hawthorns. The Saints went to the West Midlands and won in the regular season. Therefore, our score predictor forecasts a 2-0 Southampton win.