Key facts and figures ahead of St Mary’s showdown
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The Baggies have won just three of the previous 33 league meetings at Southampton. They were 1-0, 2-0 and 3-0 scorelines respectively, in 1947, 1969 and 2013.
The first meeting between Southampton and Albion was an FA Cup tie on the south coast in 1900. The hosts won the game 2-1.
In each of the last eight meetings, there hasn’t been an occasion where both teams have scored.
Saido Berahino scored for the Baggies in February 2015 against Southampton. That was Albion’s only win, as well as goal, in the last six meetings.
Eight of the 12 Premier League encounters have produced one goal or fewer.
Romelu Lukaku and Shane Long both scored the last time Albion won at Southampton
SOUTHAMPTON
The Saints have failed to win their final game of the calendar year since 2010. They’ve lost three and drawn two.
Winger Nathan Redmond will miss the match through suspension after he picked up a red card in Southampton’s 4-1 defeat at home to Spurs on Wednesday. That was their first dismissal of the 2016/17 Premier League season.
The 4-1 defeat at home to Spurs was the first time the Saints conceded four goals at home in a Premier League fixture for the first time since November 1998.
Spurs also ended their run of five hours and 24 minutes without conceding a league goal at St Mary’s.
Southampton have recorded seven clean sheets so far in the Premier League. Only leaders Chelsea (11) have been stronger at the back.
The Saints have been defensively sound this season
ALBION
The Baggies head to the south coast looking to recapture the form which saw them progress through November unbeaten. Tony Pulis’ side have lost three of the last four, albeit to title-chasing Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal.
Albion have lost the last two games away from home 1-0 to Chelsea and Arsenal. However, based on form on the road alone, the Baggies would be ninth in the Premier League table.
A win for Albion would see them leapfrog Southampton in the table. The hosts sit one place and one point above the Baggies in eighth.
Salomon Rondon has scored 16 goals for club and country in 2016. He has 14 for Albion and two for Venezuela.
Of players to attempt 25 or more dribbles in the Premier League in 2016, only Mousa Dembele of Spurs (90.2%) has better success than Baggies skipper Darren Fletcher (87.2%)