Prediction: Southampton vs Aston Villa

Prediction: Draw

Best Odds: 5/2

Bookmaker: 888sport

The Premier League returns once again this weekend for the final set of fixtures prior to the last international break of 2021. Every club from top to bottom will have different motives this week, whether it be wanting to carry momentum into the break or simply wanting to survive before regrouping and analysing how the season is going. On Friday, two clubs who have been less than stellar thus far will collide as Southampton play host to Aston Villa.

Southampton

Southampton’s squad isn’t quite where it once was but in the last few games, Ralph Hasenhuttl has them showing signs of life in the battle against the drop. They’ve always been viewed as something of a feeder club with people not really appreciating what they’ve done for the league, and it’ll be interesting to see how much longer they can maintain that position in the top flight. Based on recent evidence, they’re going to give it a pretty good go.

Team News

Stephens has been ruled out through injury, Broja is a fitness doubt and Elyounoussi is expected to feature.

Aston Villa

Even after the sale of Jack Grealish, there was an awful lot of excitement surrounding Aston Villa this season with the promise of an intriguing campaign. Unfortunately, outside of a few positive results, Dean Smith’s men have largely failed to gel as a unit. They’ve got real talent in their squad but there isn’t much cohesion there, leading many to question what needs to be done in order to rectify it – potentially in January.

Team News

Sanson and Traore are believed to be fitness concerns with the following players all being ruled out: Luiz, Trezeguet, Ramsey, Konsa, Philogene-Bidace and Ings.

Factors to Consider

• In their last meeting back in January, Aston Villa beat Southampton 1-0.
• Southampton have won two, drawn two and lost two of their last six games.
• Aston Villa have won one, drawn one and lost four of their last six games.
• Southampton have scored six goals and conceded seven in their last six games.
• Aston Villa have scored seven goals and conceded 13 in their last six games.

Conclusion

When you put two out of form teams against one another there’s always a chance one is going to burst into life and run away with it, but we just can’t see that happening with these two. The Saints are riding a solid enough unbeaten run but the quality of their side just isn’t where it once was. We expect both to realise this is something of a relegation six-pointer but in the end, neither will be able to escape with the win and will instead settle for a 1-1 draw.

Prediction: Draw

Best Odds: 5/2

Bookmaker: 888sport