Southampton vs Wolves: Premier League Preview and Predictions

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - MARCH 09: Southampton players form a huddle on the pitch after the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Tottenham Hotspur at St Mary's Stadium on March 09, 2019 in Southampton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Christopher Lee/Getty Images)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - MARCH 09: Southampton players form a huddle on the pitch after the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Tottenham Hotspur at St Mary's Stadium on March 09, 2019 in Southampton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Christopher Lee/Getty Images)

The Wanderers visit Southampton coming off of a 3-2 loss to Watford last week and both teams look to bounce back and collect 3 points each.

Wolverhampton have been having a fantastic first season in the Premier League and find themselves safely in the top half of the table. The match between the two on Saturday should be one that is fast-paced and entertaining.

The first match up saw the Wolves win 2-0 at home thanks to two second half goals late in the match. The Saints look to not repeat that result and hopefully reverse as they still search for safety in the Premier League. With that said let us take a look at how each team could win this match.

WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 29: Joao Moutinho of Wolverhampton Wanderers is challenged by Ryan Bertrand (L) of Southampton and Charlie Austin (R) of Southampton during the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Southampton FC at Molineux on September 29, 2018 in Wolverhampton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Matthew Lewis/Getty Images)
WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 29: Joao Moutinho of Wolverhampton Wanderers is challenged by Ryan Bertrand (L) of Southampton and Charlie Austin (R) of Southampton during the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Southampton FC at Molineux on September 29, 2018 in Wolverhampton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Matthew Lewis/Getty Images)

Why Southampton Will Win  

The Saints, ever since Hasenhuttl took over, have just been playing better football in general. Under the former manager there was just so much uncertainty and no real identity with the team. Now, fans know what they are going to get each week with the new boss.

Southampton will look to take advantage of being in St. Mary’s for the second straight week and try to control the match from start to finish. If they control possession and attack like they did against Liverpool they will likely find the back of the net multiple times.

Defensively they will have to be ultra-aware of the counter-attack. Wolves have feasted on counters and if the Saints are not careful they will concede on the counter and will cost them dearly.

Saints will get their chances (as they always do) it will just be a matter of finishing them off and ensure the away team does not get a chance to take a result home with them.

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Why Wolves Will Win

As mentioned previously, the wanderers are having themselves a fantastic season for a newly promoted club. They have talent throughout the squad and are not afraid of taking on anyone. They have gotten results against some of the big names in the league and will look to continue on their season with a season sweep of Saints.

The visitors will likely set-up defensively and look to take advantage of the counter-attack. That is their strong suit and the Saints have shown trouble defending on the counter and also breaking down a defense when they sit back. The Wolves will be more than happy allowing Southampton to pass the ball around in the back and just waiting for one mistake and making them pay for it.

The strategy has worked against top six sides so they will have no reason to believe it will not work against Southampton.

Predicted Line-ups

Southampton: 3-4-2-1

Goalkeeper: Angus Gunn

Defenders: Jan Bednarek, Maya Yoshida, Jannik Vestergaard

Midfielders: Ryan Bertrand, Oriel Romeu, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Yan Valery

Attacking Midfielders: Nathan Redmond, James Ward-Prowse

Striker: Danny Ings

Wolverhampton: 3-5-2

Goalkeeper: Rui Patricio

Defenders: Willy Boly, Conor Coady, Romain Saiss

Midfielders: Jonny, Joao Moutinho, Ruben Neves, Leander Dendoncker, Adama Traore

Forwards: Diogo Jota, Ivan Cavaleiro

Predicted Score:

Southampton 1-0 Wolverhampton