Striking Contrast

We have already discussed the merits of backing West Brom to beat Southampton but we can further enhance our edge with a small bet on West Brom to win to nil at 9/2 (Totesport).

There’s a school of thought that a team creating as many chances as Southampton will start winning lots of games again soon. However, many a bad run began with a side playing well and losing, before confidence erodes and losing becomes merited.

This could happen to Southampton. The Saints have had a month to forget; first they were dumped out of the FA Cup and now they have gone four top flight matches scoring just one goal in the process. Graziano Pelle just can’t escape his rut, while Sadio Mane was dropped from the starting line-up for disciplinary reasons last time out.

Whereas Ronald Koeman has striker problems, Tony Pulis must be loving the developing chemistry between Saido Berahino and Brown Ideye. Between them the pair have found the net five times in their last two outings at the Hawthorns.

Not only that, but the Baggies have also kept three clean sheets in a row as last year’s Manager of the Season works his magic again.