Southampton v Swansea – Prediction
Southampton are still searching for their first Premier League win under Claude Puel. The 3-0 win over Sparta Prague in the Europa League on Thursday should give them confidence heading into Sunday. Swansea on the other hand has had a week to prepare after their hard fought 2-2 draw against Chelsea.
Southampton have been defensively astute this season and should have enough in them to keep Swansea out. A boring game which will see Southampton just edging it courtesy of a Charlie Austin winner.
Verdict: (1-0) Southampton Win
Fixture Overview
Gameweek 5
Southampton v Swansea
St.Mary’s Stadium, Southampton
18-09-2016, 4.00 PM C.E.T
Betting Tips – Southampton v Swansea
1. Result – Southampton Win – 1.70 (Bet 365)
Despite being in the relegation zone heading into game-week 5, Southampton have been playing some good football. The Saints are well organized in defense which should trouble Swansea who have been having a hard time scoring. It has to been seen how Borja Baston will feature in the game but looking at the game on paper, Southampton do start as the favorites. The odds aren’t that great but it should be a winning bet.
2. Anytime Goalscorer – Charlie Austin – 2.63 (Skybet)
Charlie Austin ended his Europa League debut for Swansea with two goals. The striker has now scored on both his Domestic and European debuts for the club. It’s not a given that’ll he start the game against Swansea but should have an impact once he comes on.
3. Under 2.5 Goals – 1.73 (Paddypower)
Both these teams have struggled in front of goal so can’t see it being a high scoring affair. Under 2.5 should a safe bet. Swansea have failed to score in 5 of their last 7 meetings against Southampton.
4. Match Special – Swansea to score 2+ in the 2nd half – 17.00 (Skybet)
Risky Bet. But it’s the Premier League.
All Odds courtesy of Oddschecker [1]
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Southampton
The Saints come into this game on the back of a 3-0 win over Sparta Prague in the Europa League on Thursday. Despite the strong showing in Europe, Southampton are yet to win a game in the Premier League this season. Southampton were unlucky to lose to Arsenal in their last league game. Despite taking an early lead in the game, the Saints were undone by a 94th minute penalty by Santi Cazorla which gave Gunners the win.
Southampton have won 5 and lost just one of their previous 8 league meetings with Swansea. Saints though have failed to keep a clean sheet in any of their last 16 league games, this is the longest such run in the competition’s history. The last time Southampton failed to win any of their opening 5 games of a Premier league season was in 2000/01. The club eventually finished 10th that season.
10 – Southampton are only 2nd to Chelsea in having allowed their opponents the least number of shots on goal
James Rodriguez is a doubt on Sunday after picking up an injury in the Europe League game. The only other absentees among Southampton’s ranks are Sofiane Boufal and Jeremy Pied both of whom are still recovering from their respective knee injuries. Charlie Austin might start the game after him impressive brace against Sparta Prague.
Southampton 2016-17 Betting Tips
Swansea
Swansea come into this game on the back of strong performance against Chelsea in their last game. Despite going a goal behind in the 1st half, the Swans fought back valiantly and took a 2-1 lead in the 2nd half thanks to goals from Gylfi Sigurdsson and Leroy Fer. Swansea were eventually denied the 3 points courtesy of a acrobatic goal by Diego Costa [2].
Swans have found it hard in front of the goal with none their strikers yet to open the account this season. Leroy Fer has been the stand out performer so far scoring 3 of the club’s 4 goals till now. Saturday could see the debut of Borja Baston who has been sidelined with a thigh injury since joining the club. All of Swansea’s 4 goals this campaign have come in the 2nd half.
26 – Gylfi Sigurdsson with his goal against Chelsea became the club’s highest goalscorer in the Premier League
Though Swansea have a poor record against Southampton in recent times, the club does have a superior head to head record against Saints winning 15 games to Southampton’s 9 in 38 meetings. Swansea have scored just three goals against Southampton in the Premier League all of which have come after the 70th minute.
Apart from Nathan Dyer who has been ruled out for two months with an ankle injury, Swansea have a fully fit squad to choose from on Sunday.
Swansea City 2016-17 Betting Tips
Past Meeting – Southampton v Swansea
These two teams had met at the St.Mary’s stadium in an early season fixture last season. Southampton came out on top with a 3-1 win thanks to goals from Virgil Van Dijk, Sadio Mane and a Ki Sung Yueng own goal. In the reverse fixture Southampton completed the double with a 1-0 win thanks to a goal from Shane Long.
Where they are in the table
18th – Southampton – 4 games – 2 points – (-1 GD)
13th – Swansea City – 4 games – 4 points – (-2 GD)
External Resources
[1] Oddschecker.com, Oddschecker Home Page
[2] Mirror.co.uk, Diego Costa helps Chelsea to a point against Swansea