The Baggies return to The Hawthorns on Tuesday night full of confidence following their brilliant 3–1 victory over West Ham United at the London Stadium. James Morrison’s Baggies have climbed to fourth in the Championship and will be looking to build on that momentum against an in-form Southampton side. With both teams pushing towards the promotion places, another tough test awaits Albion under the lights. Can the Baggies make it back-to-back victories and strengthen their position in the top eight?
What an excellent performance and result for the Baggies last time out! James Morrison’s side returned from the London Stadium on Saturday with a fantastic 3–1 victory over West Ham United, thanks to goals from Felix Horn Myhre, Jimmy-Jay Morgan and a stunning strike from Callum Styles. The result secured Morrison’s sixth away victory in 13 matches since taking charge in March and lifted Albion into fourth place in the Championship. With confidence growing and momentum building, the Baggies will now be hoping to carry that impressive form into Tuesday night’s clash with Southampton at The Hawthorns.
Both sides head into Tuesday night’s clash in excellent form, with Southampton winning four of their last five Championship matches, while the Baggies have collected an impressive 10 points from their last four games. Albion’s performances have continued to improve under James Morrison, with several players beginning to find their rhythm and confidence growing throughout the squad.
With both teams carrying plenty of momentum into this encounter, it promises to be an exciting contest under the lights at The Hawthorns, as Albion look to build on their brilliant victory over West Ham and strengthen their position in the promotion race.
Player To Watch – Southampton
One player the Baggies will need to keep a close eye on Tuesday night is Southampton attacking midfielder Finn Azaz. The Irish international has been an important creative influence for the Saints this season, contributing three goals and five assists in the Championship so far.
His ability to find space between the lines, pick out dangerous passes and create opportunities for his teammates makes him a real threat. With Southampton arriving at The Hawthorns in excellent form, Albion’s midfield will need to stay disciplined and prevent Azaz from dictating the attacking play.
Player To Watch – West Brom
My player to watch for the Baggies against Southampton is Felix Horn Myhre, who is beginning to show his quality in James Morrison’s side. The Norwegian midfielder was excellent in Saturday’s 3–1 victory over West Ham, opening the scoring before setting up Jimmy-Jay Morgan for Albion’s second goal.
With two goals and two assists in the Championship this season, Horn Myhre is becoming an increasingly important attacking influence. His intelligent movement, composure on the ball and ability to arrive in dangerous positions could prove vital against an in-form Southampton side.
If he can reproduce his performance from the London Stadium, he could be the difference-maker under the lights at The Hawthorns.
Line Up V Southampton
I’m going with a 4-4-2 formation for Tuesday night’s clash against Southampton, with Max O’Leary continuing between the sticks. Brayann Pereira, George Campbell, Chris Mepham and Callum Styles make up my back four, while Ousmane Diakité and Jayson Molumby provide the strength and energy in central midfield.
Rabby Nzingoula and Isaac Price will operate out wide, with Felix Horn Myhre partnering Jimmy-Jay Morgan in attack.
After Horn Myhre’s excellent performance against West Ham, I believe he deserves the opportunity to start further forward alongside Morgan. Their link-up play at the London Stadium was impressive, and I’m hoping they can cause Southampton plenty of problems under the lights at The Hawthorns.
Prediction V Southampton
Predicting the outcome of Tuesday night’s clash is certainly one of the toughest calls of this match preview. Southampton are one of the Championship’s most in-form sides, having won four of their last five matches, and they’ll arrive at The Hawthorns full of confidence. However, the Baggies are enjoying an excellent run of their own, collecting 10 points from their last four games and producing a superb performance against West Ham on Saturday.
The first half could see plenty of opportunities for both sides, with Southampton looking the more threatening early on as they push to break the deadlock. Max O’Leary would be called into action on several occasions, producing some important saves to keep the scores level and frustrate the visitors.
However, as half-time approaches, the Baggies would begin to grow into the game and win themselves a corner. A dangerous delivery into the Southampton penalty area would find George Campbell, who rises highest to power his header into the back of the net, sending The Hawthorns into celebration and giving Albion a 1–0 lead heading into the break.
Just a few minutes into the second half, Jimmy-Jay Morgan would pick up exactly where he left off against West Ham, doing what he does best by finding the back of the net once again! The young striker would take his opportunity brilliantly, hammering the ball past the Southampton goalkeeper to double Albion’s advantage and send The Hawthorns absolutely rocking!
With the Baggies now 2–0 ahead, James Morrison’s side would be full of confidence, while Southampton would face an uphill battle to get themselves back into the contest.
Despite finding themselves 2–0 down, Southampton wouldn’t be ready to give up without a fight. The Saints would begin to enjoy more possession and push forward in search of a way back into the contest, forcing James Morrison’s Baggies to defend deeper as the second half progressed.
With Southampton continuing to apply pressure, Max O’Leary would once again be called into action, producing another important save to preserve Albion’s two-goal advantage.
However, in the 70th minute, the visitors would finally find their breakthrough. Finn Azaz would pick up the ball on the edge of the penalty area, create a yard of space and curl a brilliant effort beyond O’Leary to reduce the deficit to 2–1.
Suddenly, what had looked like a comfortable evening for the Baggies would become a much more nervous affair, with Southampton sensing an opportunity to complete the comeback.
The visitors would continue to push forward, looking to exploit any gaps in the Baggies’ defence, while Chris Mepham and George Campbell would need to remain organised and alert to everything Southampton threw at them.
As the clock ticked towards the final ten minutes, Southampton would come agonisingly close to finding an equaliser, only for O’Leary to produce another excellent stop and keep Albion ahead.
At the other end, Jimmy-Jay Morgan would nearly put the result beyond doubt after breaking through on the counterattack, but his effort would drift narrowly wide of the post.
With five minutes of added time indicated, The Hawthorns would be on edge as Southampton launched one final assault on the Albion goal.
However, Morrison’s side would stand firm, showing the determination and togetherness that have become increasingly evident in their recent performances.
Prediction: West Brom 2-1 Southampton
Goalscorers for West Brom: George Campbell, Jimmy-Jay Morgan
Goalscorers for Southampton: Finn Azaz
Can the Baggies make it back-to-back victories and continue their push towards the top of the Championship?