West Brom v Southampton predictions: Expect goals at the Hawthorns

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for West Brom v Southampton in the Premier League on Monday.

Where to watch

Sky Sports Premier League & Main Event, 6pm Monday

Best bet

Both teams to score
1pt 17-20 Hills

Team news

West Brom
Dara O'Shea could return from an ankle injury but fellow defender Branislav Ivanovic is out with a hamstring problem. Conor Gallagher could return after being ineligible last time out.

Southampton
Kyle Walker-Peters has a slight leg problem and is being monitored while Oriol Romeu, Will Smallbone and Michael Obafemi are still out.

Match preview

West Brom fans saw their team go three matches without a goal in the Premier League before five came at once in a stunning victory over Chelsea last time out.

And although the situation still looks bleak for the Baggies, Sam Allardyce's men should take plenty of confidence from that 5-2 win at Stamford Bridge going into this week's home tie with Southampton.

Matheus Pereira and Callum Robinson both hit braces in that match while Mbaye Diagne also got on the scoresheet as West Brom recorded only 33 per cent possession in the capital.

Prior to that contest, their previous five Premier League fixtures featured a total three goals and, under Allardyce, West Brom would not be a side one would usually associate with high-scoring matches.

But having now seen what can happen when the Baggies play with a more direct and attacking mindset, punters could expect to see more goals in West Brom's match with the Saints.

Southampton had also been on a poor run before last week, with Ralph Hasenhuttl's men recording a much-needed 3-2 win over Burnley at St Mary's after a run of one win in 12 league assignments.

Danny Ings marked his return with his ninth league goal of the season and an assist and the club have won ten matches with him in the side compared to only four without this term.

Ings undoubtedly enhances their attacking threat and, with neither West Brom nor Southampton a picture of consistency this season, it could pay to back both teams to score rather than opt for a wager on the result at The Hawthorns.

Although Southampton have struggled for points since the turn of the year, both teams have found the net in five of their last eight games and their league fixtures have featured an average of 3.07 goals per match this season - one of the highest figures in the division.

And although Allardyce is renowned for grinding out results, his team only have eight more games to push for survival and, viewing this as one of their more winnable remaining matches, they can be expected to play on the front foot.

Key stat

Southampton's 15 away league matches have featured an average of 3.4 goals per game this season.

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