Southampton vs West Brom: Championship Play-Off Preview, Semi-Final Second Leg, 2024
Alex Palmer in action during the 0-0 draw at the Hawthorns. Credit: Adam Fradgley via Getty Images

Southampton will be looking to make home advantage count this Friday at St Mary's, something West Brom failed to do last Sunday. 

The Saints will welcome West Brom to St Mary's Stadium after travelling up to the midlands for the first leg of the Championship play-off semi-final. 

Russell Martin's team have completed the double over West Brom this season and will look to have that winning feeling again over them on Friday night. 

Form Guide

After setting the task out for promotion this season, Saints would have been hoping to get this over the line through automatic promotion, but they fell short and will have to go through the play-offs to get to the Premier League for the first time of asking after being relegated. 

The Saints were 25 unbeaten in the Championship this season and will be looking to add to that tally once again to make it to Wembley and to see themselves back in the big league.

West Brom finished fifth in the table this season. After having a blip in their results nearing the end of the season, they won 3-0 at home to Preston North End to confirm their place in the play-offs.

The last time the Baggies were in the play-offs was in the 2018/19 season when they played Aston Villa but ultimately fell short.

West Brom have more experience as they have played in the play-offs four times, whereas Southampton have played once and lost to Derby County in the semi-finals of the 2006/07 season. 

 

Team News

After being out injured all season, Saints striker Ross Stewart is ready to make a full start after getting a 30-minute run out on Sunday after Che Adams was injured. 

Adams, who was injured in the first leg, could be seen to make a return Friday night. 

Martin said: "He is in a much better place and is giving everything he can to be ready for the game... We will see tomorrow.”

West Brom have no injury concerns. 

Carlos Corberan said: "I think we arrived at this moment of the season with a good team availability."

 

Key Players

Southampton - Che Adams

Che Adams missed the first leg due to injury but was a big miss for Southampton. 

Although he doesn't have the most goals for the team, he plays a vital role in Southampton's set up. 

A big player who holds the ball up when Southampton win it up the field, when Adams isn't on the field the team misses him as there isn't anyone there to do this job.

Adams has played 40 matches this season and has scored 16 goals and has four assists. 

West Brom - Grady Diangana

Diangana is one to watch out for the Southampton defence, and he had his chances on Sunday, even having the chance to go 1-0 up in the last 30 minutes of the game. 

The attacking midfielder has been one to watch over his whole career at West Brom and this season he has played 37 matches scoring seven goals and assisting eight, he'll be looking to put his goalscoring boots on to send West Brom to Wembley. 

Match Details

Where is this game being played?

The second leg of this play-off semi-final will take place at St Mary's Stadium. 

What time is kick-off?

Kick-off is at 20:00 BST time on Friday 17th May. 

How to watch?

In the UK the match is available on Sky Sports from 19:00 BST.