Premier League

St. Mary's Stadium

Sunday 4th October 2020 -  12:00
Southampton
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West Brom
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Key Events

Slaven Bilić’s Baggies are back on the road for the second time this season as they travel to the south coast to take on Southampton at St Mary’s on Sunday afternoon (ko 12pm).

Southampton

Their latest campaign

The Saints didn’t enjoy the most productive of starts to last year’s Premier League campaign and after a very mixed month in September, they failed to win a single game in October.

Southampton went eight games without a win until they broke their duck against Watford at the end of November and enjoyed a solid transition into the new year between December and January. This good form was followed up when football resumed in June after the national lockdown, losing just one of their remaining nine games of the season.

In the dugout

Manager Ralph Hassenhüttl was on the wrong end of Premier League history last year when his Southampton side were demolished 9-0 by Leicester City. Nevertheless, their recovery over the course of the season was admirable as they ended the campaign just outside the top-10 under his guidance.

Prior to his move to England’s south coast in 2018, the Austrian built his managerial reputation successfully in Germany with FC Ingolstadt 04 before most notably taking the reigns at RB Leipzig during their debut season in the Bundesliga. He led them to an impressive second-placed finish between 2016-17 and qualified for the group stage of the Champions League.

One to watch

Danny Ings was close to winning the golden boot award last season after enjoying the most prolific scoring season of his career.

The England international netted 22 goals for the Saints last year and was just a goal short of Jamie Vardy at the top of the Premier League leaderboard. His fine form in front of goal has also seen him involved in the national side once again with Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate calling the 28-year-old striker up to the recent UEFA Nations League squad.

Our last meeting

Albion’s last triumph on the south coast was in 2016 when they secured a 2-1 victory courtesy of strikes from present Albion players Matt Phillips and Hal Robson-Kanu.

Stats

Albion

- There’s been at least three goals in each of the Baggies' opening Premier League games.

- Albion’s last victories at St Mary’s have seen them have to score two goals or more.

- Baggies striker Callum Robinson has scored three goals in his first four matches since joining the club permanently.

Southampton

- Hassenhüttl's side have been beaten twice in two games at St Mary’s this season.

- Southampton have conceded a combined seven goals from both of their home games this term.

- At the other end of the pitch, Saints have scored three goals compared with Albion’s five from their first three top-flight matches.

Head to head

  Albion wins Draws Saints wins 
League 23 21 26
FA Cup 1 3 5
Total 24 24 31

Our one to watch

Callum Robinson opened his account for the Premier League season in fine style last Saturday.

The Albion forward had already scored since becoming a permanent Baggie during the Carabao Cup win against Harrogate earlier in September.

But two smart finishes against Champions League outfit Chelsea in Albion’s last league game will have boosted Robinson’s confidence and no doubt he’ll be looking to continue his hot streak against the Saints on Saturday.

Follow the game

Gez Mulholland will be joined by once midfield-now-microphone maestro Andy Johnson to provide proudly partisan commentary and an expert insight for WBA Radio.

To listen live to Baggies-biased commentary on WBA Radio for free for every home and away match during the 2020/21 season all you have to do is sign up for a free My Albion account.

If you haven't already you can create your My Albion account here. Click Create Account or register quickly with your Facebook or Google account. 

Live commentary starts from 15 minutes before kick-off and will be accessible through the live match centre or WBA TV.

If you have any issues registering or accessing your My Albion account please contact myalbion@wbafc.co.uk.

A

Albion go into the first international break still seeking an opening win to their new Premier League campaign after defeat at Southampton.

Trailing to a 41st minute goal from Moussa Djenepo, the Baggies put in a much-improved display after the break to threaten a route back into the contest.

But a second from Oriol Romeu with 20 minutes remaining left Slaven Bilić’s men with too big a hill to climb.

It was a particularly cruel outcome for keeper Sam Johnstone, who was in outstanding form to keep Saints at bay in the first half.

Albion switched to a back four for the first time this season but the first half was dominated by the home side who were denied a bigger lead by a string of fine saves.

Johnstone was in action as early as the fourth minute, diving to his left to defy Ryan Bertrand before producing a brilliant double-save to keep out Danny Ings and Che Adams.

Ings was denied again as Albion’s keeper leapt to his right to palm away a header from a 27th minute free-kick but the resistance was broken four minutes from the break when Albion were caught on the break and Djenepo finished smartly from inside the area.

Albion brought on Sam Field for Kyle Edwards at the interval and pushed up with real intent to threaten an equaliser.

A clever free-kick routine saw Saints keeper Alex McCarthy save with his feet before a wonderful free-kick delivery from Matheus Pereira somehow eluded both Semi Ajayi and Kyle Bartley.

Albion made further substitutions bringing on Hal Robson-Kanu and the returning Filip Krovinovic but before they could re-gather any momentum they conceded a second when Oriol Romeu struck with a snap volley as he arrived in the area to meet Stuart Armstrong’s cross.

Albion had a chance to make a late fight of it when another Pereira free-kick put Ajayi in at point-blank range but the defender could not make contact as the ball skidded off the sodden turf.

 

ALBION: Johnstone; O’Shea, Ajayi, Bartley, Townsend, Livermore, Sawyers (Krovinovic 65), Diangana, Pereira, Edwards (Field 45), Robinson (Robson-Kanu 60)

Substitutes: Button, Furlong, Ivanovic, Harper.