Verdict: Danny Ings to score anytime
Best Odds: 11/5
Bookmaker: Bet365
Two sides who will have their sights set on securing a mid-table finish in the Premier League this season, Mark Hughes’ Saints will welcome Brighton to St. Mary’s on Monday night.
Southampton
Starting with Mark Hughes’ side, although Southampton could only avoid the drop on the final game of last season, Mondays hosts did enjoy a solid run prior to the international break. Along with knocking Brighton out of the League Cup last month, Southampton also picked up an impressive 2-0 win over Crystal Palace. If Southampton are looking to make it three wins on the bounce, they will be hoping Liverpool loanee Danny Ings can carry on his impressive run of form. The 25-year-old now has two in his last three appearances and is Hughes’ top scorer. However, the Red and Whites have struggled on home soil recently. In fact, their only win in 13 home league matches was April’s 2-1 win over Bournemouth. While their form at St. Mary’s might be a cause for concern, Southampton do hold an eye-catching record against Brighton. Now losing just one of the last eight meetings between the two sides, the hosts should fancy their chances of starting September brightly.
Team News
Southampton strike duo Shane Long and Charlie Austin are both doubts with toe and hamstring issues respectively.
Fellow frontman Danny Ings looks to have overcome the blister problem that saw him require painkilling injections prior to the international break.
Brighton
As for Chris Hughton’s Brighton side, although the Seagulls were boosted by their historic 3-2 win over Manchester United last month, it has been a difficult start to the new campaign. While they did battle back against newly promoted Fulham to steal a point, it will be their form away from the Amex Stadium that will be the biggest cause for concern for the former Newcastle boss. Failing to find the net in their last two matches on the road, the Seagulls have now not scored an away league goal in five hours and 20 minutes, since April’s 3-1 loss at Manchester City. Bringing in a string of new players over the summer, although Brighton would have had their sights on improving on their 15th place finish last season, they are struggling to pick up a substantial amount of points. Continuing from last season, Monday’s visitors have now picked up just two wins in their last 16 matches in all competions.
Team News
Brighton playmaker Pascal Gross faces a fitness test on an ankle knock.
Jose Izquierdo and summer signing Florin Andone have both returned to training following injury and could be involved, the latter for his debut.
Key Factors to Consider
- Southampton won 1-0 at Brighton in the EFL Cup last month.
- Both Premier League encounters in 2017-18 ended in 1-1 draws.
- Southampton have lost only once in the last eight meetings (W3, D4).
- Only the Seagulls and West Ham are still to record their first away points of 2018-19.
- Saints are winless in their last 10 Monday Premier League fixtures, losing seven of those games.
Conclusion
For Mark Hughes, although his side may have had their problems at St. Mary’s, the former Stoke boss should see this is a great opportunity to make it three wins in a row. Given Brighton’s issues on the road and the fact that they have not recorded a clean yet this season, the in-form Danny Ings should be relishing the chance to add to his tally. With the Liverpool loanee now cleared to play and lead the line, we’re backing Ings to find the net on Monday night.
Verdict: Danny Ings to score anytime
Best Odds: 11/5
Bookmaker: Bet365
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