West Bromwich Albion will be looking to make home advantage count in the first leg of the Championship play-off semi-final against Southampton.
The Baggies have lost just three times at home since the turn of the year – including against the Saints back in February.
Southampton, meanwhile, will be looking for a positive result to take into the second leg at St. Mary’s next Friday night.
Having completed the league double over Carlos Corberan’s side, Saints will be hopeful of a repeat and to get to Wembley as they look for a return to the Premier League at the first time of asking.
Form Guide
West Brom’s play-off finish was aided by a ten game unbeaten run from February to April 13, helping them finish fifth in the table. However, they ended the season with three straight defeats before a 3-0 win over Preston North End on the final day of the campaign.
Alex Mowatt’s penalty put them ahead in first half stoppage time, before goals from Kyle Bartley and Darnell Furlong sealed a comfortable victory at The Hawthorns.
Southampton, meanwhile, were in the hunt for automatic promotion until the last few weeks of the season.
Russell Martin’s side finished nine points off Ipswich Town in fourth spot, with defeats to Cardiff City, Leicester City and Stoke City in the space of a week proving costly.
However, they did bounce back to beat Leeds United at Elland Road on the final day of the season last weekend.
Goals from Adam Armstrong and Will Smallbone proved enough to give them a 2-1 win over third-place Leeds.
The win in Yorkshire was their first on the road since early March, and Saints will be looking for a positive result to take back to St. Mary’s for the second leg.
Team News
West Brom have no fresh injury worries as they prepare for the first leg.
Boss Corberan said to the media: “In the last period of the competition, we didn’t lose players for more than one game. Everyone has been fit and we have had the possibility to add players back from long-term injuries.
“I have worked with 21 pitch (outfield) players, which is the maximum number of players we have right now.”
Saints, meanwhile, will be keeping their fingers crossed on the fitness of Che Adams after the forward limped off in the final game of the season.
Goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu remains a long-term absentee, so veteran Alex McCarthy resumes between the sticks.
There are question marks over whether Saints will continue with the back-five they played at Leeds, or revert to a more familiar 4-3-3.
Likely line-ups
West Brom: Palmer; Furlong, Bartley, Kipre, Townsend; Yokuslu, Mowatt; Wallace, Diangana, Johnston; Thomas-Asante.
Southampton: McCarthy; Walker-Peters, Harwood-bellis, Stephens, Manning; Downes, Aribo, Smallbone; Fraser, Armstrong, Sulemana.
Key Players
West Brom: Mikey Johnston
Winger Johnston, who joined on loan from Celtic in January, has certainly enjoyed his short time at The Hawthorns. With seven goals since his arrival, the Ireland international will be looking to play his part in West Brom’s play-off campaign.
After earning March’s Championship Player of the Month award, there has been evidence in recent weeks that opposing teams are growing wise to Johnston’s abilities.
Southampton: Adam Armstrong
With the potential absence of Adams, it will be down to Saints' top scorer to fire them to Wembley. He has contributed towards 34 league goals this campaign (21 goals, 13 assists) and even got the winning goal over the Baggies at St. Mary’s in November.
Having joined in the summer of 2022, Armstrong has been Saints’ standout attacking player this season.
Match Details
The Championship Play-Off Semi Final First Leg will take place at The Hawthorns, West Bromwich.
Kick off is 14:15 BST on Sunday 12th May 2024.
How to Watch
In the UK, the match is available to watch live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football from 14:00.
