The Championship returns to our screens this weekend as the battle to reach the play-off final gets underway.
There are two first-leg play-off semi-finals taking place on Sunday, May 12. The first sees Norwich City host Leeds United at 12 pm BST before West Brom take on Southampton at The Hawthorns at 2:15 pm BST.
West Brom head into Sunday’s clash as 7/4 outsiders to pick up a win, while Southampton can be backed at 31/20 to take a lead into the reverse leg next week.
West Brom vs Southampton
West Brom did not have a great end to the normal 2023/24 season, with three losses in their last four nearly costing them a play-off spot. However, the Bagpies still managed to earn 5th place following a 3-0 win over Preston on the final day.
Despite finishing 12 points behind Southampton in the table, meanwhile, history suggests the Maggies have a good chance of being promoted this month as the 5th-place club in the Championship have won the play-offs in three of the last 10 years.
Like West Brom, Southampton did not end the normal campaign in great form. The Saints lost three on the spin before beating Leeds United 2-1 on the final day.
However, Southampton are still favourites to make it into the final ahead of West Brom after beating the Midlands outfit in both of their league fixtures this season. The 4th place team have also won the play-offs in three of the previous 10 years.
West Brom vs Southampton betting stats
Here are some key West Brom and Southampton stats to keep in mind as you prepare to make your selections ahead of the game:
- Southampton have won seven of their last eight meetings with West Brom, although the Baggies’ only win in this run did come at the Hawthorns.
- Southampton have lost just one of their last six away games against West Brom in all competitions (W4 D1), losing 3-0 in the Premier League in April 2021.
- This is just Southampton’s second appearance in the Football League play-offs – they were eliminated in the 2006/07 Championship semi-final by Derby County, who would go on to beat West Brom in the final.
- This is West Brom’s fourth appearance in the second tier play-offs – they lost at the semi-final stage in both 2000/01 (vs Bolton) and 2018/19 (vs Aston Villa), and in the 2007 final against Derby.
- West Brom had the oldest average starting XI age in the Championship this season (28 years, 175 days old).
- Both teams have scored in 65 percent of Southampton’s Championship matches this season.
- Southampton have netted at least two goals in five of their past six games against West Brom across all competitions, with the only exception a 3-0 defeat at the Hawthorns three years ago.
- Only Ipswich (54), Leeds (53) and champions Leicester (52) won more points at home in the Championship than WBA this season (49), with the Baggies’ 15 home wins their highest total at the Hawthorns in a single league campaign since 2009-10 (16).
West Brom vs Southampton Top Tip
- Southampton’s Adam Armstrong, who ended 2023/24 with 21 league goals, has scored in six of his last 11 Championship starts.
Today’s Football Tips
There is no Championship action today but there are a number of Premier League matches taking place, with the marquee fixture set to see Manchester City face off with Fulham.
Manchester City travel away from home to take on Fulham, and we’ve got it covered with our bet builder of the day article, while for those of you looking to place an acca, we have our acca of the day lined up and ready to go.
This week’s best free bets and enhanced offers
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