South-Hampton-vs-Liverpool

South Hampton vs Liverpool

Prediction

Southampton vs Liverpool – Liverpool to win it 2-1, this is a tough one to call, Southampton have been impressive all season but Liverpool have momentum and are growing stronger as a group by each match. I see Liverpool edging it by a single goal.

 

 

Southampton

Graziano-Pelle

Graziano Pelle has been on a goal drought – can he end it vs Liverpool?

Southampton has been one of the teams of the season, they were a team that was a relegation candidate in the eyes of many pundits and bookies at the start of the season but how they have proven them all wrong.

Ronald Koeman’s men started the week in 4th place and win here versus Liverpool will shoot them up to 3rd in table. They come into this match on the back of a 0-0 draw versus the Hammers last week. They have suffered a hit in form over the last two months, since the start of the year they have only managed to pick up 10 points from a possible 18.

They have lost just one in their last eight games and have conceded the least amount goals in the Premier League this year(17). Southampton’s target man Graziano Pelle has been on a goal drought not scoring in the last eight league matches.

Southampton will be boosted by returns of Morgan Schneiderlin, Matt Targett and Shane Long from injuries.

Liverpool

Steven-Gerrard

Steven Gerrard will not be available versus Southampton

Liverpool come into this match on the back of a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Besiktas in the Europa League. This will be the second of their three matches in a weeks time and needs a win here to keep pace with the teams above them.

The Reds are unbeaten in the last 8 league games with 6 wins and 2 draws. They have lost just once in 17 matches in all competitions (The one defeat came against Chelsea in the League Cup Semi-final 2nd leg).

Liverpool last league game was a 3-2 win over Spurs last week with a 83rd winner by Mario Balotelli, his first league goal of the season. A win here would take Liverpool up to 6th in the table and two points behind United in 4th.

They have a Europa League 2nd leg clash versus Besiktas on Thursday but can’t be distracted here because of it.

Steven Gerrard is still Liverpool’s top-scorer in all competitions with 10 for the season but this match will come too soon for the legendary captain to return from Injury. The good news for Liverpool is that Raheem Sterling is available again after recovering from his foot injury (came on as a sub vs Besiktas).

Past Meeting

Last time these two teams met this season Liverpool won the game 2-1 with two goals from Sterling and Sturridge. The lone goal for the Saints was scored by Clyne.

Where are they in the table?

5th – Southampton – 25 games – 46 points

7th – Liverpool – 25 games – 42 points

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