Martin hopes to take fighting spirit to Ipswich after Cup victory

Russell Martin was delighted with how Southampton bounced back in the EFL Cup and urged them to keep that fighting spirit in the Premier League against Ipswich Town.

Taylor Harwood-Bellis cancelled out Abdoulaye Doucoure’s opener for Everton in the EFL Cup third-round tie on Tuesday before they beat the Toffees on penalties to progress.

It was a much-needed victory for Southampton, who have failed to win all four of their Premier League games so far, with their 3-0 defeat to Manchester United last time out their 400th loss in the competition.

It is a huge game for both promoted sides, but Martin is keen to build on their win in midweek by providing the perfect Premier League response.

“I loved the togetherness and the spirit [against Everton],” Martin said. “We’re going to need all of that on Saturday.

“We were so good for half an hour last weekend, but we didn’t respond well enough to a setback. [On Tuesday] we did, and that’s the biggest area of growth and learning.

“We are going to have setbacks as a team and a group and a club this season, we’ve spoken about that, but how we respond to them and how we bounce back is going to be the most important bit.”

Big weekend at base pic.twitter.com/s9cKyJQvCe

— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) September 19, 2024

Meanwhile, Ipswich had a tough start to life back in the Premier League with defeats to Liverpool and reigning champions Manchester City, but they have since picked up points in draws with Fulham and Brighton.

Kieran McKenna’s biggest challenge, though, has been integrating their 11 new signings into the squad, and he believes they are starting to see positive results from their transfer business.

“It’s not going to happen overnight,” said McKenna on the squad gelling together.

“We’re in a process and I think we’re going to get better week-by-week if we take the right approach.

“It’s good that we’ve already been pretty competitive in our games. If we stick on the right path, then over the course of weeks and months we’ll be in a much better place than we are now.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Southampton – Ben Brereton Diaz

Ben Brereton Diaz has played 18 Premier League matches across spells with Sheffield United and current side Southampton and is still yet to end on the winning side (D4 L14), an all-time Premier League record for games played without winning.

He is also yet to score since joining the Saints, giving up the opportunity to take a penalty last weekend, and he will be desperate to end both of those droughts.

Ipswich Town – Sammie Szmodics

Ipswich have had just nine shots in the first halves of their four Premier League games so far this season, the fewest of any side.

Away from home, the Tractor Boys have managed one first-half shot in two games – Sammie Szmodics’ goal against Man City in August.

Last time out against Saints. #SOUIPS

— IPSWICH TOWN (@IpswichTown) September 18, 2024

MATCH PREDICTION: SOUTHAMPTON WIN

Southampton lost 1-0 at home to Ipswich in the Championship last season but have not lost consecutive home league games against the Tractor Boys since April 1980.

The Saints are one of two teams yet to lead for a single minute in the Premier League this season, alongside Crystal Palace. Southampton have also spent more time in a losing position than anyone else in 2024-25 (208 minutes and 15 seconds, inc. injury time).

This is the latest two newly promoted teams are meeting in a Premier League season with both still winless since Fulham beat West Bromwich Albion on matchday seven of the 2020-21 campaign; only one of the six games between such sides last season was won by the home team (Burnley 5-0 Sheffield United).

Meanwhile, Ipswich have won more Premier League games against Southampton than they have vs any other opponent (five). However, they lost the last such meeting between the sides 3-1 at Portman Road in March 2002.

Ipswich have failed to win any of their opening four Premier League games this season (D2 L2). It is the Tractor Boys’ longest winless start to a top-flight season since 1984-85 (first five games).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Southampton – 43.4%

Draw – 25.7%

Ipswich Town – 30.9%