Football Tips: Armstrong’s the man in our 11/1 West Brom v Southampton Bet Builder

Our footie tipster James O'Rourke is expecting goals at the Hawthorns on Friday night.

By / Football Tips / 10 months ago

West Brom v Southampton Builder Tips

Both Teams to Score
Brandon Thomas-Asante to Commit 1 or More Fouls
Darnell Furlong to Commit 1 or More Fouls
Adam Armstrong to Score or Assist
Southampton to Have 5 or More Shots on Target

    West Brom v Southampton
    Championship match at The Hawthorns
    TV: Sky Sports Football, 8pm

    BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE

    Whilst there is a pretty sizeable gap between West Brom and Southampton in terms of points, the reality is that this is still a top-five meeting in the Championship on Friday night. For all that Southampton may have seen their 25-game unbeaten run come to an end at Bristol City in midweek, they’re still going great guns. West Brom themselves are in a five league game winning streak at home, so don’t expect them to adopt a much more defensive approach here.

    These are two teams used to winning and as such both will look to play to their offensive strengths. Six of West Brom’s previous eight matches have seen each team find the back of the net, whilst 11 of 16 on the road for Russell Martin’s Saints also contained both teams scoring.

    BRANDON THOMAS-ASANTE TO COMMIT 1 OR MORE FOULS

    If there is one area where Southampton have had some issues this season it is building from the back, especially against a high-pressing opponent. Off the back of a defeat for Southampton, Carlos Corberán will look to his centre forward to work hard out of possession high up the pitch to really test out any nerves or doubts in the Saints back line.

    Thomas-Asante can never be faulted for his effort and he will have a specific role to conduct in applying pressure against a Southampton team that often dominates possession. The former Salford City man has committed a foul in four of WBA’s preceding six Championship encounters, so is no stranger to this particular task.

    DARNELL FURLONG TO COMMIT 1 OR MORE FOULS

    Only two players have played a part in all of West Brom’s 31 Championship fixtures this season; one being goalkeeper Alex Palmer and the other experienced right back Darnell Furlong. Clearly the defender is a key player in the eyes of the manager and has firmly made the position his own.

    He faces tricky wingers in the Championship game-by-game and that will again be the case here. It therefore perhaps comes as no surprise to see he has produced the most fouls out of any Baggies player all season. Interestingly, he has also drawn the most fouls, so another all-action display under the lights is anticipated.

      ADAM ARMSTRONG TO SCORE OR ASSIST

      One player who has certainly benefitted from Southampton’s relegation out of the Premier League is Adam Armstrong, who has been one of top performing strikers at this level across recent times. He is on course to beat his 28-goal return for Blackburn in 2020/21 as he already has 16 to his name with 15 matches remaining.

      For all that he remains their greatest threat in front of goal, Martin has given him more freedom to roam the final third and get on the ball. He won’t take up traditional centre forward positions all of the time and the fact he is their highest-assist maker with 11, and by some distance, proves the 27-year-old has more than one string to his bow.

      SOUTHAMPTON TO HAVE 5 OR MORE SHOTS ON TARGET

      Losing to Bristol City would have hurt and for all that it wasn’t the end of the world it is likely Southampton will be really fired up here to try and right that wrong. As such, West Brom goalkeeper Alex Palmer is anticipated to have a busy night ahead of him.

      Whilst WBA will likely hope Gavin Bazunu in the opposition goal will do so as well, the sheer array of talent and depth Southampton have available to them means it is hard not to build a strong case for this selection.

      Only three times in their previous 13 have Martin’s men not had five or more efforts on target. Ironically, one was in the last game, but on the two other occasions did they would smash the shot on target count next time up.

      West Brom v Southampton Builder Tips

      Both Teams to Score
      Brandon Thomas-Asante to Commit 1 or More Fouls
      Darnell Furlong to Commit 1 or More Fouls
      Adam Armstrong to Score or Assist
      Southampton to Have 5 or More Shots on Target

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