Southampton vs West Bromwich Albion. Premier League.
St. Mary's StadiumAttendance29,947.
Saturday 21 October 2017 17:25, UK
West Brom are hoping to have a fit first-team goalkeeper when they travel to Southampton in the Premier League on Saturday.
Ben Foster missed the draw at Leicester with a knee injury so Boaz Myhill made his first Premier League start since April 2016, but finished the game hobbling around with a hamstring problem.
However, Tony Pulis said he hopes "one of them will be fit enough to start but I don't know which one" after they took part in training on Thursday and race against the clock to be included.
The Baggies sit one point and place ahead of Southampton in the Premier League table, who drew 2-2 with Newcastle last time out.
Alongside doubts over Foster and Myhill for West Brom, James Morrison, Oliver Burke and Hal Robson-Kanu are certain absentees with muscle injuries.
Southampton manager Mauricio Pellegrino reported no fresh injury concerns ahead of the game, with Manolo Gabbiadini hoping to retain his place in attack after scoring both goals last weekend.
Full-back Jeremy Pied continues to work his way back to full fitness from a groin injury.
Saints have won two of their last three Premier League games against West Brom, as many as they had in their previous nine against them in the competition.
After a winless run of 19 games in all competitions at Southampton, the Baggies have won two of their last five away games against the Saints (D1 L2).
Of all teams to have met in at least seven different Premier League campaigns, Southampton vs West Bromwich Albion has the lowest goals-per-game ratio in the competition (21 in 14 games - 1.5 per game).
Southampton have conceded a league-high ratio 33% of their Premier League goals from outside the box this season (3/9).
Southampton have drawn a blank in nine Premier League home games so far in 2017, only three Premier League sides have failed to score in more home matches in a calendar year (Portsmouth; 11 in 2007, Fulham 10; in 2002 and Manchester City; 10 in 1995).
West Bromwich Albion have now scored 47 set-piece goals (excl. penalties) in the Premier League since Tony Pulis took charge of the club, more than any other side.
I'm going for a goalless draw. West Brom are really hard to beat, and Southampton just don't score many goals. West Brom will play a certain way, and I don't think the home side will break them down.
I think Southampton are really in-between at the moment, and I think Mauricio Pellegrino could find himself under pressure soon. Saints fans want more.
PAUL PREDICTS: 0-0 (13/2 with Sky Bet)
West Brom are 4/1 to end their six-game winless run at Southampton, with the hosts odds-on favourites with Sky Bet at 3/4 while the draw is priced at 23/10. Manolo Gabbiadini is favourite to break the deadlock at 4/1 and 17/2 for another brace, with three visiting players tied at 8/1 to be first goal-scorer. One of those is former Saints striker Jay Rodriguez, who is alongside Salomon Rondon and Hal Robson-Kanu.
