Relegation-battling Southampton host Brentford at St Mary’s Stadium.
Ivan Juric’s Saints will stay bottom of the table regardless of the result, whilst victory could lift Brentford as high as 10th.
Team News
Matheus Fernandes is suspended for Southampton following his fifth booking of the season in a 2-1 loss at Crystal Palace.
Flynn Downes is a doubt with a leg injury which saw him sit out the trip to Palace.
Jack Stephens (knock), Will Smallbone (thigh), Ross Stewart (calf) and Gavin Bazunu (Achilles) remain ruled out.
Brentford could be without Fabio Carvalho after he missed their 3-1 defeat to Arsenal with a groin injury.
Josh Dasilva, Rico Henry (both knee), Gustavo Nunes (back), Igor Thiago (joint), Kristoffer Ajer (ankle), Ethan Pinnock and Aaron Hickey (both hamstring) remain sidelined.
When is Kick-Off?
Southampton host Brentford at St Mary’s Stadium on Saturday 4 January at 3pm GMT, untelevised in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Southampton have won one of five previous Premier League meetings against Brentford (W1, L4).
- Brentford have won one of two previous Premier League trips to Southampton (W1, L1).
- Yoane Wissa has scored in each of Brentford’s last two meetings against Southampton.
- Adam Armstrong has produced more shots than any other Southampton player this season (23).
- Coming into this matchweek, Brentford’s Nathan Collins has made more headed clearances than any other Premier League player this season (64).
Prediction
Southampton should consider themselves unlucky to had not drawn at Palace because they looked more solid but two small defensive mistakes cost them after having claimed an early lead but there are positive lessons to bring into this game.
Brentford have been poor on the road all season but this is winnable if they can bring their quality and cut out the defensive sloppiness, otherwise they’re headed for a mid-table finish plus a potential FA Cup run for rest of season. e
Either way, both teams have a point to prove here but if the Bees can score first, I fancy them to end their away rut.
Prediction: Southampton 1-2 Brentford
Related
#Week #Southampton #Brentford #Sport #Grill
