Saints Marching
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Southampton vs Brighton: Important match for Saints on Sunday

By Ryan Borowski

Southampton's English striker Danny Ings (2nd L) is congratulated by Southampton's Malian midfielder Moussa Djenepo (L) after scoring the opening goal after a VAR (Video Assistant Referee) review during English FA Cup fifth round football match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Southampton at the Molineux stadium in Wolverhampton, central England on February 11, 2021. (Photo by Shaun Botterill / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by SHAUN BOTTERILL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Southampton's English striker Danny Ings (2nd L) is congratulated by Southampton's Malian midfielder Moussa Djenepo (L) after scoring the opening goal after a VAR (Video Assistant Referee) review during English FA Cup fifth round football match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Southampton at the Molineux stadium in Wolverhampton, central England on February 11, 2021. (Photo by Shaun Botterill / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by SHAUN BOTTERILL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Southampton will take on fellow south coast team Brighton on Sunday and it is a massive match for both teams as they look to secure safety.

Brighton sit level on points with Fulham and are only safe due to goal differential at the moment while Southampton are a little bit more comfortable sitting 7 points away.

For the Saints, this is a chance to put themselves double-digit points above the drop zone and with 9 games left after this one, it would almost guarantee safety.

With all that considered, let us take a look at how both teams can win

How Southampton Will Win

Despite it being a loss they will need to play almost exactly like they did against City minus the mental errors that led to goals. If they can do that for 90 minutes they could absolutely dominate this match.

The most interesting thing about this match will be the starting line-up. I think it will go back to a more normal-looking side and that will mean they are more comfortable and will play better.

I think Nathan Tella is a must-start up-top alongside Che Adams. He has been so dynamic and dangerous on the ball that I think it would be major mistake not to start him.

The most interesting choice will be who starts in net. I believe it will be Forster although McCarthy played well and got a little unlucky with a couple of rebound goals and tremendous Mahrez finishes.

How Brighton will win

Brighton have been the xG kings this year but it has not translated into results. They always seem to win the xG battle but never the actual battle and if they want to survive this season they are going to need to change that narrative.

To do that they are just going to have to finish their chances much like Southampton. I think this match will be the first to 2 wins or at least gets a draw.

I think it will be a good match and Brighton have some serious motivation to pick up a result so they will come out with their best.

Predicted Line-ups

Southampton: 4-2-2-2

Goalkeeper: Fraser Forster

Defenders: Kyle Walker-Peters, Jan Bednarek, Jannik Vestergaard, Ryan Bertrand

Midfielders: James Ward-Prowse, Ibrahima Diallo

Attacking Midfielders: Stuart Armstrong, Takumi Minamino

Strikers: Che Adams, Nathan Tella

Brighton: 4-2-3-1

Goalkeeper: Robert Sanchez

Defenders: Joel Veltman, Ben White, Lewis Dunk, Daniel Burn

Holding midfielders: Yves Bissouma, Pascal Gross

Attacking Midfielders: Adam Lallana, Alexis Mac Allister, Leandro Trossard

Striker: Neal Maopay

Predicted Score

Southampton 2 – 0 Brighton

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