Match Previews

MATCH PREVIEW: Southampton v Albion

Everything you need to know ahead of the NYE clash

Albion's season continues on the final day of 2016 as they end the year with a trip to the South Coast to face Southampton at St Mary's Stadium.

The opposition

The Saints are currently one point (24) and one place (8) above the Baggies in the Premier League. But that could all change as Claude Puel's men play host to Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday evening. A win against Spurs could lift Southampton up to seventh. An EFL Cup Semi-Final tie with Liverpool also waits on the horizon in January.

Last time out

A James Ward-Prowse double and a Dusan Tadic strike gave Southampton a 3-0 win against the Baggies in January 2016.

BEARING THE BRUNT: Brunty and Dusan Tadic battle at St Mary's last season

Team news

Jonny Evans made his injury comeback against Arsenal on Boxing Day and will be assessed again ahead of the clash on New Year's Eve.

Charlie Austin is the key absentee for the Saints. The former QPR man has a history of scoring against Albion, bagging a hat-trick for Rangers in December 2014.

Stats

Two defeats for Tony Pulis' side in the last two games against Manchester United and Arsenal hasn't prevented Albion from remaining in the upper echelons of the Premier League. The Baggies have occupied a top-ten position since the 2-1 win at Leicester on November 6.

Albion have been more prolific in front of goal, scoring 23 goals to Southampton's 16. But the Saints have conceded less than a goal a game (0.94) compared to a higher ratio for the Baggies (1.22).

From the archive

Robert Koren scores a Championship brace at St Mary's in 2007.


Head to head

The head to head record between the two sides is fairly even. In 74 meetings with Southampton the Baggies' record stands at W23, D24, L27.

L OF A PARTNERSHIP: Long and Lukaku celebrate at Southampton in 2013

Ticket news

Seats for the clash are now on general sale with the Baggies handed an allocation of 1,700.

Ticket prices are as follows: adults £20, seniors £20, under-18s £18 and under-11s £12.  

Fans can purchase seats online, in person via the East Stand ticket office or by calling 0121 227 2227.



Coach travel, leaving Kidderminster at 9.30am, Stourbridge and Lye at 9.45am and The Hawthorns at 10.30am, is on offer for £25.

Follow the game

The game will kick off at 3pm with comprehensive coverage available across all of the Club's social media channels.

Twitter - @WBA
Facebook - West Bromwich Albion
Snapchat - wbafc_official
Instagram - wba

You can also listen to live commentary on Albion Player with Dave Bowler and Gez Mulholland talking you through the action.