MY ACCOUNT
– Both teams have scored in 15 of the last 16 meetings between these clubs
– Spurs were unlucky not to score on last away day, hitting woodwork twice
– Recommended Bet: Back Both teams to score
After correctly predicting Southampton would hold Manchester United in the first half on Sunday, Simon Barlow looks at the best bet for the Saints’ home clash with Tottenham on Saturday.
Southampton’s second chance to lift themselves off the bottom of the Premier League this week comes when they host fourth-placed Tottenham at St Mary’s on Saturday.
The Saints fluffed their lines against Brentford in midweek, mustering only one shot on target in a 2-0 home reverse.
Antonio Conte’s side returned to winning ways against Nottingham Forest last weekend and can climb into third place with a win on the South Coast.
Ruben Selles, meanwhile, has told his Southampton squad to “stick with the plan” after admitting that they abandoned their principles when chasing an equaliser against the Bees.
Team news
Southampton look set to again be without Ainsley Maitland-Niles, who has missed the last two games with a minor injury, while Juan Larios and Tino Livramento remain sidelined by injuries.
Kyle Walker-Peters was substituted on the hour mark of Wednesday’s loss to Brentford after picking up a knock, but Selles later suggested the injury was not serious.
Few changes are anticipated, although Romeo Lavia could return to the starting XI in place of Ibrahima Diallo and Theo Walcott will be hoping to get the nod over Mohamed Elyounoussi out wide.
For Spurs, Conte confirmed there are no new injuries in the wake of the win over Forest, although Ryan Sessegnon, Rodrigo Bentancur, Hugo Lloris and Yves Bissouma remain unavailable.
The Italian made some changes last weekend, bringing in Richarlison and deploying Ben Davies and Pedro Porro as wing-backs.
The Brazilian made a difference against Forest — even if his early goal was ruled out following a VAR check — and he could earn another rare chance to start against the Saints.
The stats
Southampton have lost six of their last seven home Premier League matches and have suffered more home defeats than any other team this season (8).
The Saints have lost 17 league games already in 2022-23 — one more than last season’s final tally of 16 defeats.
Southampton have scored the joint-fewest goals in the Premier League this season and have netted just two times across their past five matches.
James Ward-Prowse has been involved in more Premier League goals against Spurs than he has any other opponent (eight — four goals, four assists).
Likewise, Richarlison has scored more Premier League goals against Southampton than any other club, with five strikes in his past seven games against the Saints.
The Brazilian has yet to score in 18 Premier League appearances for Tottenham, however.
Prediction
Tottenham arrive at St Mary’s on the back of a four-match losing run away from home, but they have been unlucky in some of those games.
Porro and Heung-Min Son struck the crossbar with efforts either side of the break against Wolves while Harry Kane, of all people, missed a great chance to equalise against Sheffield United.
What those last four results, and just under 70% of Spurs’ away Premier League games this season, have in common is that Conte’s side could not keep a clean sheet.
It suggests there could be something for a painfully shot-shy Southampton side to take from this often entertaining matchup.
Only one of the last 16 meetings between these clubs has featured a clean sheet and goals are usually scored at both ends.
Back Both teams to score at 5/6 with LiveScore Bet.
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