Southampton return to St Mary's on Saturday when they host Preston North End (PNE). Back to back defeats on the road has left the Saints 20th in the table just three points clear of the relegation zone.
Southampton were beaten 2-1 at Ewood Park in their latest outing. With key players missing through illness, the manager had few resources to call upon. After going a goal ahead through Léo Scienza after 23 minutes, the Saints reverted to type. Adam Armstrong wasted two good chances. Cameron Archer and Shea Charles picked up injuries. Welington got sent off for launching his elbow into another player's face!
The first Blackburn goal was farcical. An inocuous cross was allowed to elude the entire Southamtpon defence before Joshua Quarshie's air-shot confused Alex McCarthy and the ball drifted past the befuddled keeper. The winner, scored with four minutes of normal time left to play, was inevitable.
PNE won their last match 3-2 at home against Sheffield United, coming back from 2-0 down in a dramatic encounter at Deepdale. Daniel Jebbison, on loan from Bournemouth, completed the comeback win with a headed goal in the 58th minute. The win lifted Preston to 7th in the table, just outside the play-off places.
This is a match with plenty of incentives for both sides. Southampton, Will Still in particular, is in need of three points. Since winning at Sheffield United, the Saints have taken just two points from a possible twelve. Unless they can turn their form around quickly, they could find themselves in the relegation zone and Will Still could find himself out of a job.
Preston, on the other hand, might relish the chance to get themselves into the play-off positions. The trip south to play against a team bereft of confidence could offer the Lilywhites the ideal opportunity to do so.
Here's our preview of the Saints Championship clash with Preston.
Southampton vs Preston: Preview, Prediction & Lineups
What time does Southampton vs Preston kick off?
Southampton vs Preston kicks off on Saturday 1st November at 15:00 GMT.
- When is kick off? Saturday 1st November, 2025
- What time is kick off? 15:00 GMT
- Where is it played? St Mary's Stadium
- Referee: Matthew Donohue
Southampton vs Preston last five (competitive) meetings
Date | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|
16 April 2024 | Southampton 3-0 Preston | EFL Championship |
25 October 2023 | Preston 2-2 Southampton | EFL Championship |
21 September 2011 | Southampton 2-1 Preston | EFL Cup |
21 February 2009 | Southampton 2-1 Preston | EFL Championship |
1 November 2008 | Preston 2-3 Southampton | EFL Championship |
Southampton vs Preston head-to-head record
Club | Wins | Draws | Losses |
|---|---|---|---|
Southampton | 5 | 4 | 3 |
Preston | 3 | 4 | 5 |
Southampton team news
Southampton have a growing injury list and Will Still will need to draw on the full depth of his squad.
Shea Charles has a significant hamstring injury that could keep him out for 6-7 weeks. Flynn Downes will come in for Charles if he has shaken off his own injury and illness.
Cameron Archer has picked up an ankle injury at Blackburn Rovers and is doubtful for the matchup with Preston. As a result, Still might be forced into a change in formation.
Ross Stewart and Elias Jelert are still injured. Welington is suspended following his red card at Blackburn Rovers.
Predicted Southampton lineup vs Preston: McCarthy; Roerslev, Wood, Harwood-Bellis, Manning; Downes, Jander, Azaz; Scienza, Fellows, Armstrong (4-2-3-1)
Preston team news
Ali McCann broke his arm before the game against Sheffield United and faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
Jordan Thompson, Will Keane, Robert Brady, Pol Valentín, and Brad Potts are all injured.
Preston could also be without Lewis Gibson and Andrija Vukcevic, who suffered muscular injuries against Sheffield United.
Thierry Small and Liam Lindsay could return.
Predicted Preston lineup vs Southampton: Iverson; Storey, Lindsay, Hughes, Offiah; Whiteman, Armstrong; Devine, Small, Dobbin; Jebbison (3-5-2)
Southampton vs Preston score prediction
Southampton have a good record against Preston but this could be quite a tight and nervy affair. The Saints have drawn their last three at home and have found scoring goals very hard to come by at St Mary's.
Maybe tomorrow will be the day that Will Still's men find their shooting boots and, if they do that, they could really take Preston to task. That seems unlikely though and a narrow home win is probably the best that Saints fans can hope for.
Preston have proven that they are never out of it so Southampton will need to be at their best to beat a team who are currently riding on a wave of good form. They're not so good on the road, so a 1-0 home win is the prediction.