England Premier League
Saturday 13th August 2022
Kick off at 3pm BST
Venue: St Mary's Stadium
Match Preview:
Southampton will be looking to bounce back after their 4-1 mauling against Tottenham on the opening weekend of the season as they play their first game at home. It’s only the 2nd game of the season but this is a huge one for the Saints. Imagine they lose this and put in a poor performance, all of a sudden bottom of the league, and with very little confidence the struggle may get real even if we are only in August, in short Ralph Hasenhuttl’s team need a pick me up.
The Saints did start well against Tottenham and took the lead but were soon outclassed, however let’s not forget the club did manage 10 chances at goal. The Saints top many lists as one of the teams to be relegated this season and they may well struggle, so need points on the board. If they are to stay up this season much could depend on their home form.
Leeds beat Wolves 2-1 in their opening game of the season after trailing 1-0. This was a huge win for the club and let’s be honest after surviving by the skin of their teeth last season every victory is huge for Leeds. Arguably Wolves were the better side at Elland Road and at least deserved a draw, so perhaps not too much should be looked into Leeds win and this game at least on paper could be very tricky for the club.
Team News:
Southampton: Theo Walcott is ruled out with a muscle injury, Nathan Tella could be assessed after his knee injury but could have some fitness doubts. Valentino Livramento is out for the rest of the year with a knee injury.
Leeds: Liam Cooper isn’t due back until next week at the earliest with a lack of match fitness. Luke Ayling is out with a knee injury but could well return before the end of the month. Junior Firpo is struggling with a knock and could miss another two weeks. Adam Forshaw will be assessed and is back in training following his knee injury. Stuart Dallas is out long term with a leg injury and could miss the next two months at least.
Southampton vs Leeds Head to Head:
Last season Southampton won this fixture 1-0.
Leeds have won 3 of the last five meetings between the sides.
The last 3 meetings have all seen under 2.5 goals.
Southampton vs Leeds Prediction:
The Saints managed to remain unbeaten against Leeds last season and they can certainly pose a threat in this game. Southampton can be every pundits favourite team to implode and this is probably born out of their 9-0 maulings they seem to take now and again. They can come across as a team who if they hit a low ebb could well find it hard to recover, but just when you think that is going to happen there is quality in this side and Hasenhuttl has proved on a few occasions already that he can get something out of his team just when the chips are down.
It isn’t the end of the world if Southampton lost this game of course, it’s still so early in the season but after conceding 4 goals last week and thus being bottom of the league as a consequence if they lose their first game at home also, it doesn’t bode well for the weeks ahead. Given all of this and the fact that Leeds still have some key players missing we are going to back the home side to get something from this game. James Ward-Prowse scored the last time the teams met and he netted against Tottenham last week too, so he may well have his scoring boots on again and we will back him at the weekend.
Southampton vs Leeds Betting Tips:
Asian handicap (0.0 Southampton) at 1.65
Anytime goalscorer: James Ward-Prowse at 2.75
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