Relegation-battling Southampton play host to Brighton & Hove Albion in a tricky Premier League fixture.
Victory could move rock-bottom Southampton to within seven points of safety if Wolves, Ipswich and Leicester all lose this weekend, whilst Brighton can climb to eighth with a win if results elsewhere go in their favour.
Team News
Flynn Downes is available for Southampton after recovering from a knock which saw him miss the Saints’ home loss to Bournemouth.
Jack Stephens (knock) is set to return but Ryan Fraser (knock), Taylor Harwood-Bellis (ankle), Adam Lallana (hamstring) and Ross Stewart (calf) remain ruled out.
Brighton could welcome Pervis Estupinan and Solly March back from injuries but Lewis Dunk (rib) is unlikely to be available for selection.
Jason Steele (shoulder), Ferdi Kadioglu (toe), Igor Julio and James Milner (both hamstring) remain sidelined.
When is Kick-Off?
Southampton host Brighton at St Mary’s Stadium on Saturday 22 February at 3pm GMT, untelevised live in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Southampton are winless in their last six league meetings against Brighton (D3, L3).
- Brighton are yet to lose away to Southampton in the Premier League (W2, D4).
- Neither Southampton nor Brighton have kept a clean sheet in their last eight league meetings, during which the Saints netted 10 goals to Brighton’s 14.
- Four of Southampton’s last six league goals have been scored by Jan Bednarek and Paul Onuachu, who have both scored twice.
- Both Joao Pedro and Danny Welbeck have each been involved in 10 of Brighton’s league goals this season; Pedro (five goals and five assists), Welbeck (six goals and four assists).
Prediction
With relegation now all but mathematically certain barring a miracle, Southampton just need to knuckle down and try to find some confidence because they were just outclassed by Bournemouth despite a valiant effort to try and fight back from 2-0 down but their defence still remains their Achilles heel with sloppy mistakes.
Brighton meanwhile were just clinical in how they beat Chelsea from resiliently riding out the opening phases of both halves to taking their chances with well-executed rip-up of the Blues’ defensive lines, but I do expect them to come and dominate this much like Bournemouth did as the Saints are there for the taking.
This fixture though hasn’t exactly seen either team at their defensive best but this really should be an away win if Brighton turn up and play their best football.
Prediction: Southampton 1-3 Brighton
Result: Southampton 0-4 Brighton
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