West Bromwich Albion vs Southampton Predictions

• Southampton beat West Brom twice in the regular season.
• Saints won 2-1 at Leeds on the final day.
• Albion have won just two of their last eight.

Saints looking for immediate return

Southampton head to West Brom in the first leg of their Championship play-off semi-final on Sunday and the visitors can seize a first leg advantage.

Saints are bidding to bounce back to the Premier League at the first attempt and they will fancy their chances against the Baggies, having beaten their hosts in both league games during the regular campaign.

Saints should be confident

Southampton ended a three-game losing streak by winning 2-1 at Leeds on the final day of the season and that victory should give them a boost ahead of the lottery that is the play-offs.

The Baggies ended a three-game losing streak of their own on the final day. However, that win came against a Preston side with little left to play for and Albion have been out-of-sorts for a while now, winning just two of their final eight games – which is hardly ideal preparation for a play-off bid.

After winning both games during the normal league season, Southampton look well placed to book a spot at Wembley and they can come away from the Hawthorns with a first leg lead.

Baggies can keep the tie alive

Southampton won 2-0 here back in February but they may have to settle for a one-goal advantage before the return leg. West Brom are generally good for a goal at home and they managed 38 goals in 23 games at the Hawthorns in the Championship this term.

Saints have just two clean sheets in their last nine away and West Brom can ensure they are still in the tie for the trip to the South Coast. So a 2-1 away win appeals here.

Adam Armstrong is Saints’ leading scorer this season and he ended a seven-game goal drought against Leeds. Armstrong should draw confidence from ending his barren spell and he can help fire his side to victory with an anytime effort on Sunday.