Prediction: Southampton vs Huddersfield Town

Verdict: Huddersfield to win

Best Odds: 11/2

Bookmaker: Bet 365

Southampton entertain Huddersfield at St Mary’s in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon. Both teams will be desperate for the three points that will take them further away from the relegation zone.

Southampton

It is now five games without a win for Southampton and even though they are sitting in 12^th place in the Premier League, they are still only three points above the dreaded relegation zone. Mauricio Pellegrino’s men put up a spirited display when going down 1-0 to Chelsea last weekend but it still left them with a single win in nine games and some fans are started to vent their disconcern. In truth, they have endured a difficult run of fixtures this past month and it doesn’t really get any easier after the match against Huddersfield. A visit to Tottenham on Boxing Day is followed by an away trip to Old Trafford which puts further significance on their game on Saturday. Failure to pick up three points could see the Saints enter the new year dangerously close to the drop zone and it will no doubt place further pressure on Pellegrino. However, Southampton have struggled playing in front of their fans in the last 12 months with Burnley and Leicester winning there in the past four fixtures.

Team News

Charlie Austin may be given a recall against Huddersfield given the striker’s goal scoring record against them.

The Saints have no long-term injury worries while Virgil van Dijk will probably return after being left on the bench against Chelsea last week.

Huddersfield

Before last week, Huddersfield had gone seven away league games without conceding a goal and relegation to the Championship seemed to be a reality. However, a 4-1 drubbing of Watford will no doubt have given David Wagner and his men some much-needed confidence going into the festive period. The victory was crucial for Huddersfield and they now sit happily in 11^th place, six points above the relegation zone. The Terriers will know that three points over a Southampton team lacking in confidence will do wonders for their survival chances and they could be nine points clear of 18^th place come the end of the weekend. One area of concern will be their defensive record away from home where they have conceded in all but two of their away trips. Aaron Mooy bagged a brace against Watford last week and has made an impressive start to his Premier League career. The 27-year-old will be crucial to Huddersfield’s hope of stealing three points.

Team News

Kachunga will miss out after suffering a knee injury against Watford while Chris Lowe may also miss the match with a foot problem.

Tom Ince and Scott Malone look likely to replace the duo.

Key Factors to Consider

• Southampton have won the last three matches against Huddersfield in all competitions, scoring 13 goals and conceding just one
• The Saints have won just one of their last nine Premier League games (D3 L5)
• Southampton have only lost once in their 26 league matches against newly-promoted teams (W17 D8)
• Huddersfield’s 4-1 win at Watford ended a run of seven consecutive away games without a goal (D1 L6)
• Charlie Austin has had a hand in six goals in seven previous matches against the Terriers (four goals, two assists)

Conclusion

Southampton are suffering a dreadful run of form and Huddersfield will be full of confidence after their 4-1 thrashing of Watford last week. It will be a close game but the terriers may just edge it and are great odds for the victory.

Verdict: Huddersfield to win

Best Odds: 11/2

Bookmaker: Bet 365