OptiNews - Friday 07 to Thursday 13 April 2017

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West Bromwich Albion v Southampton

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Matt Phillips could start for West Brom after returning from a hamstring problem as a substitute in midweek.

Head coach Tony Pulis will assess the fitness of several unnamed players who are nursing minor injuries.

Oriol Romeu begins a two-match ban for Southampton as a result of accumulating 10 domestic bookings this season.

Steven Davis suffered an ankle injury in midweek and will have a fitness test, along with Manolo Gabbiadini, Ryan Bertrand and Sofiane Boufal.

Mark Scott: "When Tony Pulis signed a contract extension in October, the club said establishing West Brom as a top-ten team was the aim.

"A win on Saturday would not only go a long way to ensuring they end up there this season, it would also keep them on track to equal their best league finish since 1981.

"It was always going to be a tough ask for Claude Puel to continue Southampton’s impressive run of improving their position season on season.

"But a cup final appearance and ending up in the top eight would represent a good return in his first campaign as Saints boss.

“To have a chance of achieving that, they can’t really afford a defeat in this one.”

West Brom head coach Tony Pulis on Matt Phillips: "He’s important for us because he gives us that little bit more pace down the sides, and the stats show that he’s created lots of chances for us - and he also has a good return on his goals as well.

“So he’s been a big miss for us, but having said that the players who have played and the teams we have put out in the past few weeks have all had a go and done their best, and that is all you can ask of them.”

Southampton manager Claude Puel: "It will be important to take points at West Brom, or one point minimum for our ambitions for the end of the season.

“The win against Crystal Palace was very important in terms of the result because many teams behind us also took points.”

Saints are in ninth now, one place behind West Brom, and all things considered I think Claude Puel’s side have had a decent season.

But West Brom do not give much away at home and I think they will find a way of winning this game too.

SAM (Sports Analytics Machine) is a super-computer created by @ProfIanMcHale at the University of Salford that is used to predict the outcome of football matches.

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Sourced from Daily Mail article

West Brom vs Southampton: Team news, kick-off time, odds and stats

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Ahead of the Premier League’s weekend action, Sportsmail will be providing you with team news, betting odds and Opta stats. Here is all you need to know as West Brom host Southampton.

Matt Phillips could be restored to the West Brom starting line-up against Southampton at The Hawthorns.

The winger returned to action as a substitute in the defeat at Watford in midweek after missing five games with a hamstring problem, and if he has suffered no ill-effects then he will be back in the team on Saturday.

Baggies boss Tony Pulis has a couple of other unnamed players nursing minor niggles and they will be assessed before he decides whether to make changes after a lethargic display on Tuesday night.

Manolo Gabbiadini, Steven Davis, Ryan Bertrand and Sofiane Boufal will all face late fitness tests for Saturday’s Premier League trip to West Brom.

Gabbiadini (groin), Davis (ankle), Bertrand (hamstring) and Boufal (muscle issue) will all be given every chance to recover for the Hawthorns encounter.

West Brom have failed to score in five of their last seven Premier League games against Southampton.

Southampton have only once before lost both Premier League games against the Baggies in the same season (2012-13).

Saints have only scored once in the Premier League at the Hawthorns – a 90th minute penalty converted by Rickie Lambert in August 2013 to win 1-0.

West Brom have won 29 points from their 15 home games this season; their joint-best return at this stage of a Premier League season alongside 2012/13.

Indeed, the Baggies have won eight and lost two of their last 10 Premier League matches at the Hawthorns.

Saints have won two of their last three away games in the Premier League (L1), the same total they’d won in the previous 12 combined.

Tony Pulis’ side have scored 27 goals at home so far this campaign; only in 2012-13 (32) and 2010-11 (30) have West Brom netted more at the Hawthorns in a Premier League season.

West Brom have lost three of their last five Premier League matches (W1 D1 L3), this after previously going on a run of eight league games with just one defeat (W5 D2 L1).

The Baggies’ next home defeat will be their 600th in league football. Only one side has lost 600+ home games within the top four tiers of English league football since 1888 and that’s Notts County (633).

James Ward-Prowse has scored more Premier League goals in 2016-17 (four) than in his previous four seasons combined (three).

Nathan Redmond has scored six Premier League goals this season; his joint-best return in a top-flight season (also 2015-16).

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Sourced from talkSPORT article

Each Premier League club’s current points total compared to same stage of 2015/16 season

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The top eight teams in the 2016/17 Premier League season all have better points tallies than they did at the same stage of the previous season.

Here, talkSPORT looks at the 17 teams who stayed up to see how they are faring this term.

As you can see, Leicester are a massive 27 points worse off, so scroll through the gallery to see the other clubs’ points difference.

Figures courtesy of Friday’s edition of The Times newspaper. All numbers correct as of 07/04/17.

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Sourced from A tweet by SouthamptonFC tweet

@SouthamptonFC - Southampton FC

Spirits were high as #SaintsFC finished preparations for #WBA today!

View our full gallery from training:… https://twitter.com/i/web/status/850377446952243201

Retweets: 1

Favourites: 2

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Sourced from Daily Mail article

Premier League team news and odds ahead of the weekend’s fixtures

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Ahead of a weekend of action in the Premier League, Sportsmail brings you the latest team news, odds, match details and stats on every top flight fixture as it breaks.

Simply click on your team in the fixture list below to find out who is ruled out and who is making a return, as well as all the key statistics surrounding your club’s fixture.

In or out? Keep up-to-date with all the latest team news and stats ahead of the weekend games

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Summary of non-mainstream articles: 07/04/2017 16:25:23

| | Tony Pulis hopes Matt Phillips is available to start against SouthamptonBTSPORT |
| | Tony Pulis hopes Matt Phillips is available to start against SouthamptonBELFASTTELE |

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Read Southampton

New content from (- Read Southampton)

| West Brom vs Southampton - Predicted XI | Southampton will be looking to make it two wins on the bounce at the Hawthorns on Saturday as they take on West … 07-04-2017 |

Older content…

| West Brom v Southampton: Combined XI16 hours ago |
| Southampton team news: West Brom (A)16 hours ago |
| Puel lauds Yoshida as a captain16 hours ago |
| Southampton 3-1 Crystal Palace - The Key Points16 hours ago |
| Southampton 3-1 Crystal Palace - Match Ratings2 days ago |
| Our man of the match: Crystal Palace (H)2 days ago |
| Inter willing to offer defenders in deal for van Dijk2 days ago |
| Southampton vs Crystal Palace - Combined XI3 days ago |
| Chelsea linked with Cedric Soares3 days ago |

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Sourced from Daily Mail article

Pulis hopeful of Matt Phillips start for West Brom against Southampton

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West Brom boss Tony Pulis admits Albion have missed Matt Phillips during his injury absence and hopes the winger will be fit to start against Southampton on Saturday.

Phillips returned to action as a substitute in the defeat at Watford in midweek after missing five games with a hamstring problem.

West Brom won just two of their matches without the 26-year-old, who reportedly cost the club £5million when he signed from QPR last summer.

Pulis insists it was money well spent but he thinks there is more to come from the Scotland international.

‘It was actually a little bit less than that, but he’s been a very good signing for us,’ he said.

'I’m hoping that he will be available to start on Saturday, but he is one of the ones we have to have a look at and see if he’s right. If he is and he’s feeling good and everyone is happy with the injury, then he has a great chance of starting the game.

'He’s important for us because he gives us that little bit more pace down the sides and the stats show that he’s created lots of chances for us - and he also has a good return on his goals as well.

'But I still think there’s still lots more to come from Matty. He’s a good kid and good around the place. He’s been fantastic for us.

‘So he’s been a big miss for us, but having said that the players who have played and the teams we have put out in the past few weeks have all had a go and done their best, and that is all you can ask of them.’

West Brom have exceeded expectations this season. They go into the game against Southampton at The Hawthorns eighth in the Premier League - a place and seven points ahead of their opponents.

It looks like Albion will miss out on a place in the Europa League for next season, but Pulis wants his team to finish as high up the table as possible to help him attract a handful of players in the summer.

‘Money is still the main reason why most players move but it (finishing high up the table) helps,’ said Pulis.

'We need at least five or six players to come in and improve the club. That’s the aim and it’s not just one position, it’s all over the pitch. We have to keep pushing on and strengthening.

‘We want people to come in and work as hard as the players who have been here are doing and give us a bit more quality.’

Pulis pointed to Southampton’s recruitment as the blueprint for most Premier League clubs to try to follow.

He added: 'The important thing is not just getting good players in, but getting good characters and the right types of player in.

'Southampton are a fantastic model. They bring lots of players through and recruitment has been brilliant - the boy (Manolo) Gabbiadini looks a smashing signing. He knows where the goal is.

‘Southampton are a really good example to everyone on how to run a football club. They are a top-10 team, they have some brilliant players and it will be a tough game for us.’

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Sourced from The Telegraph article

Premier League bingo: how many points can you accumulate this week?

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Isn’t the Premier League great? How much better has the last week been than the international dross that preceded it?

And after a midweek round of fixtures the games roll on this weekend with 10 more games, so let’s get excited about it!

Premier League bingo returns to preview the action. Have a trawl through and see how many points are up for grabs this week.

5 point: Spurs win. They have never lost a Premier League game to Watford and have won their last 10 in the league at White Hart Lane.

15 points: Troy Deeney adds Tottenham to the already 41-strong list of teams he has scored against in his career. He has no goals in four games against Spurs so far.

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Sourced from Daily Echo article

Ex-Saint Mane ruled out for rest of season

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Liverpool forward Sadio Mane has been ruled out for the remainder of the season after manager Jurgen Klopp revealed the Senegal international is set to have surgery on a knee injury.

The 24-year-old former Saints star, who sustained meniscus damage in a challenge with Leighton Baines in last weekend’s Merseyside derby, has had his knee in a brace all week and been walking on crutches.

Liverpool’s medical staff were hoping they could avoid an operation but the decision has been taken to write off the forward’s campaign and get him fit again for pre-season.

“I am pretty sure Sadio will need surgery but I am not 100 per cent sure when it will happen, but then it is clear ‘season over’,” said Klopp.

"That is what I half-expected when I saw him after the game. I felt he was lucky that not more happened but we are close enough to the end of the season that it will be pretty much impossible to play again this season.

“He will get a longer break and will be ready for next season. That is the only good news.”

Mane joined Liverpool from Saints for a huge £34m last season, and has been a huge hit at Anfield. He is currently the Reds’ top league scorer with 13 goals in 27 matches - a good record considering he missed most of January on Africa Cup of Nations duty with Senegal.

Saints are due to travel to Anfield in the Premier League on May 6.

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Sourced from talkSPORT article

West Brom manager Tony Pulis hopeful Matt Phillips will be fit to start against Southampton after injury layoff

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West Brom boss Tony Pulis admits Albion have missed Matt Phillips during his injury absence and hopes the winger will be fit to start against Southampton on Saturday.

Phillips returned to action as a substitute in the defeat at Watford in midweek after missing five games with a hamstring problem.

West Brom won just two of their matches without the 26-year-old, who reportedly cost the club £5million when he signed from QPR last summer.

Pulis insists it was money well spent but he thinks there is more to come from the Scotland international.

“It was actually a little bit less than that, but he’s been a very good signing for us,” he said.

"I’m hoping that he will be available to start on Saturday, but he is one of the ones we have to have a look at and see if he’s right. If he is and he’s feeling good and everyone is happy with the injury, then he has a great chance of starting the game.

"He’s important for us because he gives us that little bit more pace down the sides and the stats show that he’s created lots of chances for us - and he also has a good return on his goals as well.

"But I still think there’s still lots more to come from Matty. He’s a good kid and good around the place. He’s been fantastic for us.

“So he’s been a big miss for us, but having said that the players who have played and the teams we have put out in the past few weeks have all had a go and done their best, and that is all you can ask of them.”

West Brom have exceeded expectations this season. They go into the game against Southampton at The Hawthorns eighth in the Premier League - a place and seven points ahead of their opponents.

It looks like Albion will miss out on a place in the Europa League for next season, but Pulis wants his team to finish as high up the table as possible to help him attract a handful of players in the summer.

“Money is still the main reason why most players move but it (finishing high up the table) helps,” said Pulis.

"We need at least five or six players to come in and improve the club. That’s the aim and it’s not just one position, it’s all over the pitch. We have to keep pushing on and strengthening.

“We want people to come in and work as hard as the players who have been here are doing and give us a bit more quality.”

Pulis pointed to Southampton’s recruitment as the blueprint for most Premier League clubs to try to follow.

He added: "The important thing is not just getting good players in, but getting good characters and the right types of player in.

"Southampton are a fantastic model. They bring lots of players through and recruitment has been brilliant - the boy (Manolo) Gabbiadini looks a smashing signing. He knows where the goal is.

“Southampton are a really good example to everyone on how to run a football club. They are a top-10 team, they have some brilliant players and it will be a tough game for us.”

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Sourced from A tweet by SouthamptonFC tweet

@SouthamptonFC - Southampton FC

Another international call for #SaintsFC’s Regional Talent Club: http://sfcne.ws/CTWalesU17sRTC

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Favourites: 7

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Sourced from talkSPORT article

Claude Puel confident Southampton can cope in midfield without suspended Oriol Romeu against West Brom

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Claude Puel insists Southampton can boss the midfield at West Brom without the suspended Oriol Romeu.

Former Chelsea star Romeu will start a two-match ban on Saturday after collecting 10 yellow cards for the season.

The Saints could also be without Steven Davis if the Northern Ireland midfielder fails to beat his ankle problem, but manager Puel has remained unfazed by his side’s injury concerns.

“We know the importance of Oriol of course,” said Puel.

"But we have (Jordy) Clasie and (Pierre) Hojbjerg who have trained very well.

"They always have a good spirit and attitude and I have confidence in them.

"We don’t know yet the situation of the injury with Davis but I have confidence in all my players.

“For all these last games we’ll need all of the group. It’s important for the players to keep a good attitude and spirit in training.”

Southampton hit two late goals to sink Crystal Palace 3-1 at St Mary’s on Wednesday night, with Puel now challenging his side to chase a top-eight Premier League finish.

Ninth-placed Saints trail West Brom in eighth by seven points, leaving Puel clear with his players that they must secure a result this weekend to keep pace with Tony Pulis’ side.

Japan defender Maya Yoshida struck the decisive goal in Wednesday’s last-gasp win over Palace, with Puel impressed with the centre-back’s progress this term.

“Maya has got to participate in the future of Southampton,” said Puel.

"He’s a strong player. Maya was not a starting player last season but this season he’s fantastic and improved.

“The level of Maya is fantastic this season.”

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Sourced from A tweet by sammcqueen123 tweet

@sammcqueen123 - Sam McQueen

A huge and well deserved 3 points last night #SaintsFC

Retweets: 26

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Sourced from A tweet by SouthamptonFC tweet

@SouthamptonFC - Southampton FC

#SaintsFC’s @Prowsey16 believes the squad can take confidence into tomorrow’s #PL clash with #WBA: https://grabyo.com/g/v/hEFZ6tQipQO

Retweets: 2

Favourites: 6

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Sourced from Southampton FC - Official Site article

Match Preview: West Bromwich Albion vs Saints

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THE MATCH

West Bromwich Albion vs Southampton

Saturday 8th April

3pm BST

Premier League

The Hawthorns

WHAT’S AT STAKE?

After a superb performance saw Saints storm back to beat Crystal Palace 3-1 on Wednesday, Claude Puel’s men are in pursuit of West Brom, who sit just one place above them in 8th.

The Baggies lost 2-0 to Watford on the same night at Vicarage Road, but they have enjoyed a stellar campaign under the stewardship of Tony Pulis.

They have won 29 points from their 15 home games, a joint-best return at this stage of the Premier League season alongside 2012/13.

TEAM NEWS:

West Bromwich Albion: Matty Phillips returned against Watford after time out with a hamstring problem and could start. Tony Pulis has also hinted at making one or two changes depending on the knocks to his squad.

Southampton: Claude Puel will be without Oriol Romeu after he picked up a tenth yellow card of the season in the win over Crystal Palace, while fellow midfielder Steven Davis is also a doubt with an ankle injury sustained in the same game.

Late checks will be made on the fitness of Manolo Gabbiadini, Ryan Bertrand and Sofiane Boufal.

FORM GUIDE:

West Bromwich Albion’s previous five:

Watford (a) L 2-0

Manchester United (a) D 0-0

Arsenal (h) W 3-1

Everton (a) L 3-0

Crystal Palace (h) L 2-0

Southampton’s previous five:

Crystal Palace (h) W 3-1

AFC Bournemouth (h) D 0-0

Tottenham Hotspur (a) L 1-2

Watford (a) W 4-3

Manchester United (n) L 2-3 (EFL Cup final)

TOP PERFORMERS

While the return of Matty Phillips could prove a major boost for the hosts, at the other end Ben Foster has produced some eye-catching displays.

Three stunning saves helped to preserve a clean sheet in the 0-0 against Manchester United at Old Trafford recently.

Top scorers: Salomón Rondon (7), Gareth McAuley (7), Nacer Chadli (5)

Most assists: Matty Phillips (9), Nacer Chadli (5)

Nathan Redmond produced a man of the match display against Crystal Palace to take his goals tally to seven in all competitions.

Six of those have come in the Premier League, which represents his joint-best return in a top-flight campaign.

Top scorers: Charlie Austin (9), Nathan Redmond (7), Manolo Gabbiadini (6)

Most assists: Dušan Tadić (6), James Ward-Prowse (5)

PREVIOUS MEETINGS

All-time record:

Played: 75

West Bromwich Albion: 24

Draws: 24

Southampton: 27

Previous four meetings:

December 2016: Southampton 1-2 West Brom (Long)

January 2016: Southampton 3-0 West Brom (Ward-Prowse 2, Tadić)

September 2015: West Brom 0-0 Southampton

February 2015: West Brom 1-0 Southampton

DID YOU KNOW?

The Baggies’ next home defeat will be their 600th in league football. Only one side has lost 600+ home games within the top four tiers of English league football since 1888 and that’s Notts County (633).

West Brom have failed to score in five of their last seven Premier League games against Southampton.

NOT AT THE GAME?

Don’t worry if you can’t make it to The Hawthorns, as we’ll be keeping you right up to speed.

We’ll have live updates and free audio commentary in our match centre at southamptonfc.com, while our social channels will bring you further updates and lots of behind-the-scenes access:

– Twitter

– Instagram

– Snapchat

– Facebook

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Sourced from talkSPORT article

Premier League form table: How the standings would look based on the last 10 games

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Antonio Conte’s Chelsea look all-but set to bring the Premier League trophy back to Stamford Bridge after an impressive season at the top.

Since the 3-0 defeat at Arsenal prompted a reshuffle by the Italian, they stormed to first place in the standings and have stayed there since.

With eight games of the season to go they look likely to seal the crown, despite pressure from Mauricio Pochettino’s Tottenham.

At the bottom, meanwhile West Ham’s poor form has seen the east Londoners dragged into the relegation battle and the final games of the season promise to be exciting as teams look to retain their top-flight status,

But how would the Premier League table look based on the last 10 games?

The current top four consists of Chelsea, Tottenham, Liverpool and Manchester City [first to fourth respectively], while Swansea, Middlesbrough and Sunderland [18th to 20th respectively] are the sides currently in the bottom three.

Click the right arrow, above, to see the Premier League form table in full, from 20th to first…

READ MORE: Each Premier League club’s current points total compared to same stage of 2015/16 season

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Sourced from Daily Mail article

Claude Puel backs Saints to cope without Oriol Romeu

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Claude Puel insists Southampton can boss the midfield at West Brom without the suspended Oriol Romeu.

Former Chelsea star Romeu will start a two-match ban on Saturday after collecting 10 yellow cards for the season.

The Saints could also be without Steven Davis if the Northern Ireland midfielder fails to beat his ankle problem, but manager Puel has remained unfazed by his side’s injury concerns.

‘We know the importance of Oriol of course,’ said Puel.

'But we have (Jordy) Clasie and (Pierre) Hojbjerg who have trained very well. They always have a good spirit and attitude and I have confidence in them.

'We don’t know yet the situation of the injury with Davis but I have confidence in all my players.

‘For all these last games we’ll need all of the group. It’s important for the players to keep a good attitude and spirit in training.’

Southampton hit two late goals to sink Crystal Palace 3-1 at St Mary’s on Wednesday night, with Puel now challenging his side to chase a top-eight Premier League finish.

Ninth-placed Saints trail West Brom in eighth by seven points, leaving Puel clear with his players that they must secure a result this weekend to keep pace with Tony Pulis’ side.

Japan defender Maya Yoshida struck the decisive goal in Wednesday’s last-gasp win over Palace, with Puel impressed with the centre-back’s progress this term.

‘Maya has got to participate in the future of Southampton,’ said Puel.

‘He’s a strong player. Maya was not a starting player last season but this season he’s fantastic and improved. The level of Maya is fantastic this season.’

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Sourced from Optimus trousers summary article summary

Summary of non-mainstream articles: 07/04/2017 18:25:49

|

| West Bromwich Albion v Southampton Fixture History Betting Tips - 08-04-2017KICKOFFCOUK |
| | Liverpool news: Thompson believes Van Dijk, Keane and Hart would improve RedsFOOTBALLINSIDER |
| | FANTASYLEAGUE |
| | Claude Puel backs Southampton to cope without suspended Oriol RomeuBTSPORT |

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Sourced from A tweet by SouthamptonFC tweet

@SouthamptonFC - Southampton FC

The Hawthorns awaits #SaintsFC tomorrow!

Rickie Lambert’s 90th-minute penalty decided things there in August 2013: https://grabyo.com/g/v/zxez7iVvBXi

Retweets: 6

Favourites: 11

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