Simon Jordan and Martin O’Neill confident what will happen when Southampton face West Brom
Martin O’Neill and Simon Jordan have agreed on how they predict the outcome of Friday’s Championship play-off tie between West Brom and Southampton.
Discussing the upcoming second leg on talkSPORT [17 May], the pair both gave the verdict that Russell Martin’s side will have enough to beat Albion, with the two teams resuming battle at St. Mary’s with the semi-final goalless.
Both sides are awaiting fitness news as they fight to face Leeds United at Wembley on 26 May – Saints are hoping Che Adams will be fit, whilst West Brom want Josh Maja to play a part.
Jordan said: “I personally think Southampton will win tonight against West Brom, and I think Southampton will beat Leeds in the final.”
O’Neill reacted: “I’m inclined to agree with Simon in terms of Southampton beating West Brom, but I couldn’t call the final.”
West Brom’s underdog status will suit Carlos Corberan
Whilst the Albion squad may not hold as much financial value as Southampton’s, pragmatic coach Carlos Corberan will be tireless in his approach to stop Saints’ biggest threats.
The team have excelled at that this season, conceding just 47 goals to their opponents’ 63, alongside Sunday’s first-leg clean sheet.
But Southampton’s attack has been more potent, scoring 17 more than the Baggies, more than cancelling out the defensive record which is why Friday night is expected to be such a tense showdown.
Martin’s men will see more possession, and the return of Adams could be a huge boost, but Albion’s counter-attacking talent in the shape of Grady Diangana, Brandon Thomas-Asante and Jed Wallace is a particularly effective weapon in Corberan’s arsenal.
Opta statistics back up the opinions of Jordan and O’Neill, giving West Brom just a 23 per cent chance of progressing on the night.
In other West Brom news, a Southampton player has commented on the Albion supporters as the semi-final heats up.
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