Nacer Chadli takes it again, there is plenty of pushing and shoving in the area and Jonny Evans hits the deck but Chris Kavanagh is not interested.

Craig Dawson wins a corner for West Brom, their first of the game.

The Baggies LOVE a set-piece goal.

Not this time though as Nacer Chadli fails to find anyone with the corner.

Saints break and Nathan Redmond crosses for Shane Long but it's cleared.

Back up the other end again and Matt Phillips wins a corner.

And there it is.

James Morrison tries his luck from distance, it's a good clean hit, but Fraser Forster gets down well to save.

Nacer Chadli tries his luck with the rebound but can't keep his shot down.

Cedric Soares whips in a cross from the right for Shane Long but it goes through to Ben Foster who collects.

We've hit a definite lull in this game.

Awaiting our first shot on target.

Image source, PA

James Ward-Prowse with the corner and it causes problems but lands fortunately as West Brom clear again.

What a run by Nacer Chadli, skipping past defenders, he's in the box but is crowded out.

Salomon Rondon then powers into the box, but can't get his pass out.

Game is coming to life.

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First sight of the ball for Matt Phillips and he takes the direct approach, running at the defence and holding off Cedric Soares with his arm.

He then plays in a lovely ball for Salomon Rondon, but the Venezuelan is offside.

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Southampton are knocking on the door here.

Some great movement by Nathan Redmond, Ryan Bertrand and the sublime Dusan Tadic.

Southampton are so comfortable in possession, nice patient passing, making West Brom work.

The Baggies are feeding off scraps and Salomon Rondon is looking lively whenever he gets a sniff, desperate to power forward.

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Dusan Tadic plays a wonderful low ball across the box, but it just evades Shane Long and West Brom manage to clear.

First 'chance' goes to Salomón Rondón, who plays some nice passes with Nacer Chadli but shoots well wide.

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Last swig of water by the West Brom players (they will need plenty of that today) and we're off.

Captains Darren Fletcher and Maya Yoshida lead their teams out.

Mark Scott
Match of the Day commentator

When Tony Pulis signed a  contract extension  in October, the club said establishing West Brom as a top-10 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.

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Sunglasses, baseball caps, vest tops, fans using their hands to shield their eyes.

Yes the sun is most definitely out in the Black Country.

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No Manolo Gabbiadini for Southampton.

So Southampton will be hoping English pair James Ward-Prowse and Nathan Redmond can fire them to a win.

Ward-Prowse has scored more Premier League goals in 2016-17 (four) than in his previous four seasons combined (three), while Redmond has scored six Premier League goals this season; his joint-best return in a top-flight season.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

For West Brom, the stats suggest a set-piece goal.

The Baggies have scored 19 set-piece goals this season, a joint-league high with West Ham.

And West Brom's top scorer this season? 37-year-old centre-back Gareth McAuley.

It could be a busy afternoon for Jack Stephens and Maya Yoshida in the Saint's defence.  

However Tony Pulis' side are also prone to conceding, having kept just three clean sheets in their last 19 league matches.

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Matt Phillips' return will be a huge boost to West Brom.

Before his injury in February he had scored five goals and had eight assists.

A constant attacking menace, he should give Cedric Soares a testing afternoon.

West Brom winger Matt Phillips make his first start since 11 February as he returns from a hamstring injury.

The Scot is one of three changes for Tony Pulis from the midweek defeat to Watford as Salomon Rondon and James Morrison also come in. 

Hal Robson-Kanu, James McClean and Chris Brunt drop to the bench.

Image source, .

Three changes for Southampton after the 3-1 midweek win over Crystal Palace.

Oriol Romeu begins a two-match ban for Southampton, while Steven Davis is out with an ankle injury and Sam McQueen drops to the bench.

In comes Ryan Bertrand, Jordy Clasie and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.

Manolo Gabbiadini misses out altogether through injury.  

Image source, .

Image source, Getty Images

Finley Quaye was right.

It's a balmy 17C at the Hawthorns today and we have a glorious day of football in store (hopefully).

Two mid-table teams clash today, so can much still be at stake this season?

Of course it can.

West Brom are aiming for their best league finish since 1981, while Claude Puel will be keen to continue Southampton's recent habit of finishing in the top eight.

Let's have some team news for starters...