Prediction: Southampton vs Crystal Palace

Prediction: Crystal Palace to Win 1-0

Odds: 10/1

Bookmaker: Bet365

Southampton will be aiming to continue their impressive recovery under Ralph Hasenhuttl as they take on Crystal Palace at St Mary’s on Saturday afternoon.

The Saints have been in positive form as of late, assembling a charge away from the relegation zone but now face another tough test as they face an Eagles’ sitting pretty in the top half of the Premier League table.

Southampton

Following their horrendous run of form before December in which they lost six out of eight Premier League matches, the Saints really have managed to galvanise themselves and now sit three points clear of the drop zone. They have now only fallen to defeat in two out of their last seven games and most recently enjoyed back-to-back victories, first against Aston Villa and then followed that up with a highly-impressive 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge on Boxing Day thanks to goals from Michael Obafemi and Nathan Redmond. The Saints now have the opportunity to win three consecutive Premier League matches for the first time since May 2016. One challenge that they certainly will have to overcome though is their tricky home form. No side in the top flight have a worse record on home soil than Southampton this season having won just two out of nine games at St Mary’s so far. As a matter of fact, they have the worst defensive record at home this season having shipped 24 goals in just nine matches.

Team News

Striker Danny Ings could return to the starting line-up for the match against the Eagles having been named on the bench at Stamford Bridge. The England forward only needs to find the net once more to make 2019/20 his best scoring season in the top-flight. He could be joined up front by Shane Long who is continuing his comeback from a slight knee injury. However, long-term absentees Yann Valery and Moussa Djenepo remain restricted to the sidelines.

Crystal Palace

Despite being one of the favourites for the drop this season, Roy Hodgson is once again doing an extremely good job at Selhurst Park. The Eagles have somewhat flown under the radar this season and sit ninth in the Premier League table, only four points behind Tottenham Hotspur in fifth. Should they repeat their impressive haul from the first-half of the campaign, they will finish on 52 points which would have been enough for a top-half finish during the 2018/19 season. If they do indeed finish within the top-ten this year, that will only be the second time that they have achieved that feat since gaining promotion to the Premier League. To maintain that however, they will need to score more goals. Their recent 2-1 win against West Ham United was only the fifth time this season that they have scored more than two goals in a game. As a matter of fact, only 19th-placed Watford have scored fewer goals than Palace this season.

Team News

Hodgson has a few considerable worries to contend with for the match at St Mary’s. Andros Townsend, Jeffrey Schlupp, Scott Dann, Christian Benteke and Patrick van Aanholt all remain out until at least mid-January. Meanwhile, defenders Joel Ward and Gary Cahill are out until the New Year with knee injuries.

Key Facts To Consider

• Southampton have the better all time head-to-head record between the two sides (W46, D23, L39)
• The last natch between the two ended in a 1-1 draw in January
• There has not been a 0-0 draw between the two sides at St Mary’s since January 2006
• Southampton have conceded more home goals than any other side this season
• Roy Hodgson’s sides have only ever scored four goals against Southampton in seven attempts

Conclusion

A win in this fixture could very much go a long way in either side securing their place in the Premier League. However, despite the potential importance of it going forwards, there might not actually be that much excitement during the match considering Palace’s lack of goals. It should be a slender victory in the Eagles’ favour though having taken into account the Saints horrendous defensive record at home.

Prediction: Crystal Palace to Win 1-0

Odds: 10/1

Bookmaker: Bet365