England Premier League
Monday 26th December 2022
Kick off at 3pm GMT
Venue: St Mary's Stadium
Match Preview:
Nathan Jones will be managing in just his 2nd league game for Southampton and his third overall. In midweek he tasted his first victory with the Saints as they beat Lincoln 2-1 in the Carabao Cup. In his first league game back in November his team lost 3-1 against Liverpool but being back home here against Brighton there will be optimism of getting the three points and that will be greatly needed at the club who have struggled so far this season.
Southampton are in 19th place and have only won 3 games this season and lost 9 and that includes their last three and you would have to go back five games to their last win which came against Bournemouth. The damning fact and one that will need to be rectified at the club is that they have the worst home record in the Premier League with just one win so far. While Manchester City are on a different level and have scored 30 goals at home you have to feel for Saints fans who in the same time period have only seen 8. The clubs last game here finished in a 4-1 loss against Newcastle.
Brighton are riding high in the league and are in seventh place with 21 points however they did lose their last game 2-1 against Aston Villa and in midweek they were dumped out of the Carabao Cup by Charlton on penalties after that game had ended 0-0. The club have been solid this season despite having lost Graham Potter to Chelsea but under Roberto De Zerbi they have looked tactically aware and for now he has fitted into the job very well given the different culture and league. The Seagulls have picked up seven points from their last 15 on offer and a win could take them past Liverpool if the Reds fail to beat Aston Villa.
Team News:
Southampton: Juan Larios is a doubt with an ongoing muscle injury, Theo Walcott is being tipped to return from a calf injury.
Brighton: Adam Webster will be assessed for a muscle injury but is being tipped to play. It is the same situation for Danny Welbeck. Alexis MacAllister has been given two weeks off after winning the World Cup.
Southampton vs Brighton Head to Head:
The teams drew 1-1 in this fixture last season.
Both teams to score has happened in the last 5 meetings.
In the last 11 meetings Brighton have only beaten Southampton once although it did happen away from home in 2021.
Southampton vs Brighton Prediction:
Brighton have the advantage here and this is because the pressure is building on Southampton to start picking up the points.They have a new manager and they are at home in what is Nathan Jones first managerial league home game and he really needs to get off to a positive start. However the Saints are fresh off for their home win in the Carabao Cup and that should set the team up well here.
Brighton are a solid team and a danger but one has to wonder if the break came at the wrong time for the club? Will we see two different seasons from them? This looks like being a close game that really could go either way, the draw looks like a likely outcome but does come with risk, so instead we'll go with the home side or the draw, and let’s see if they are ready to move up a level under their new manager.
Southampton vs Brighton Betting Tips:
Double chance (Southampton or draw) at 1.73
Anytime goalscorer: Che Adams at 3.00
Anytime goalscorer: Leandro Trossard at 3.00
The 'PLACE BET' button will take you to BetUK.com, where these selections can be found. Please gamble responsibly, 18+ BeGambleAware.org
© Copyright topfootballtipster.com 2019
