Saints make a short trip along the south coast to face this Sunday’s opposition Brighton and Hove Albion. It will be the first time since 2012 that these teams have met, with the last fixture being played in the Championship.
Brighton have started their debut year in the top flight of English football very impressively. Led by Chris Hughton, the Seagulls currently sit in twelfth place on 11 points, two places behind Southampton, who own the tenth league position with 12 points.
With important wins over West Brom, Newcastle and West Ham, Brighton have looked impressive going forward, scoring seven goals in these three victories.
Brighton go into this game after an emphatic 3-0 away win to struggling West Ham, their first away win ever in the Premier League. Meanwhile, the trip to Brighton is Saints’ first away game for just under a month. Last time out, Sofiane Boufal was the hero as his brillaint solo goal in the 85th minute won all three points for the red and whites.
Brighton forward Tomer Hemed is available for the hosts after suspension, while midfielder Steve Sidwell remains on the sidelines with a persistent back injury.
Mauricio Pellegrino reported yesterday that midfielder Mario Lemina has picked up an ankle injury and will not be available.
Why Southampton will win
Although they have only won one of the last two games, Southampton have been playing some really exciting football. Saints have done well in previous games to create a lot of chances, and I will be expecting more of the same this time out.
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Hopefully, the visitors will be able to use their Premier League experience in their favour, and be able to use their class in order to get the three points.
Why Brighton will win
The hosts have made a solid start to the campaign, and do posses high quality players in their squad.
The Seagulls wide players a key to their success, and they can easily cause problems for the Saints back four and put them under pressure.
Team predictions
Southampton
Goalkeeper: Fraser Forster
Defence: Cedric Soares, Virgil van Dijk, Maya Yoshida, Ryan Bertrand
Midfielders: Steven Davis, Oriol Romeu, Sofiane Boufal, Dusan Tadic
Striker: Shane Long, Manolo Gabbiadini
Brighton and Hove Albion
Goalkeeper: Matthew Ryan
Defence: Bruno, Shane Duffy, Lewis Dunk, Gaetan Bong
Midfielders: Anthony Knockaert, Dale Stephens, Davy Propper, Izquierdo Mena, Pascal Groß
Striker: Glenn Murray
Next: Tadic hopes Saints have turned a corner
Verdict
The game will likely be an open, end-to-end affair with both teams believing they have a good chance of getting the three points.
However, despite Brighton’s quality, Southampton’s squad is stronger and deeper and I feel that by the end of the game they will have enough to see it through.
Brighton 1-2 Southampton