West Brom are hosting Southampton for their FA Cup 5th Round tie on Saturday. A thrilling matchup between two clubs who are both struggling in the league this season. Coming away with a win would be a huge mental boost for either of the managers. However, they might not favour a repeat tie as an extra game might hinder their race for survival in the Premier League.
West Brom are coming off a huge win over Liverpool in the previous round of the competition. Knocking out a top 4 club who are in ruthless form is no easy task and yet the team delivered. Jay Rodriguez equalised just 71 seconds after Roberto Firmino gave the Reds the lead and then scored a second shortly after to give the Baggies the lead. A Joel Matip own goal had gifted Alan Pardew’s men a third at the stroke of halftime. Liverpool could have equalized but Firmino failed penalty kick saw the Merseyside club get relegated in the 4th Round the third time in a row.
Pardew might not have the best record in the Premier League but he knows a thing or two about the cup competition. He spearheaded the Crystal Palace team to the finals of the competition in the 2015/16 season only to lose out 2-1 to Manchester United.
While his squads are depleted with the exhaustion of the league struggle, a win always brings about a player. The 3-0 loss to Chelsea on Monday night was another hit in the club’s morale.
Pardew is expected to field his men in the 4-4-2 formation.
Defence
Ben Foster is the best choice in between the sticks for the manager and he is expected to get the nod in this matchup.
The 34-year-old might get shielded by the centre-half pairing of Ahmed Hegazi and Jonny Evans. Allan Nyom might provide cover from the right and Kieran Gibbs from the left.
Midfield
Grzegorz Krychowiak and Gareth Barry should look to take over the central midfield roles. The duo will have to outwork the Saints packed midfield in order to come away with the win at the Hawthorns.
Matt Phillips was one of the brightest sparks in the last fixture against Chelsea and he is the predicted starter on the right. If he can deliver balls into the box with the same amount of quality as he did against the Blues, Pardew can hope to get a couple of goals from his strikers.
Chris Brunt is expected to do the same from the left.
Attack
Jay Rodriguez might get featured in the starting XI alongside Salomon Rondon.
