Prediction: Southampton vs Hull City

Verdict: Southampton

Best Odds: 4/6

Bookmaker: Bet 365

Hull City travel to St Mary’s on Saturday afternoon to take on Southampton in the Premier League. The Tigers will need to address their dreadful away record if they want to move further away from the relegation zone.

Southampton

Southampton have been suffering with a season of transition since Ronald Koeman and Saido Mane left the club last summer and have failed to set the campaign alight. This was especially evident in the Europa League where they were disappointingly eliminated in the group stages. However, they did manage to reach the League cup final, eventually losing to Manchester United, and in Manolo Gabbiadini, they have found a player who gives them hope for next year. The striker has scored six goals in seven appearances since his move from Napoli in January, and fans will be hoping they can keep hold of him in the summer. Southampton have at least secured safety from relegation, and they can look forward to the visit of Hull City. However, they have only managed four wins and seven losses from 12 games which is a slight concern. Manager Claude Puel won’t want to let the season fizzle out, and will be looking for victory against a Tigers side who have only one once away all season. The Saints are ninth in the league and a top-half finish will be the aim for the rest of the campaign.

Team News

Defender Sam McQueen will be available after recovering from a minor groin injury.

Charlie Austin and Matt Targett have returned to full training after lengthy injuries but the match against Hull City will come too soon for them.

Hull City

Hull City are in a desperate fight for survival, and are only two points ahead of Swansea City who are sitting in the relegation zone. The Tigers form is erratic, and while they have won their last four game at home, they have lost in their last four away. Manager Marco Silva has not been defeated at home while he has been in charge of a club since March 2014, which is an incredible record, and even more incredible when you consider he is continuing it at a club fighting relegation from the Premier League. Hull have won three of their last five fixtures and if Silva can get his men to replicate the fighting attitude shown at the KCOM Stadium, and translate it on the road, then they have every chance of staying up. The Tigers face doomed Sunderland next week which is a very winnable fixture, and if they can get any kind of result at St Mary’s tomorrow, they will be firm favourites to beat Swansea to the drop.

Team News

Oumar Niasse is available after the red card he received against Watford last week was rescinded.

However, defender Omar Elabdellaoui remains out with a back problem and could miss the rest of the season.

Key Factors to Consider

• Southampton have won four of their five previous matches against Hull City
• The Tigers haven’t won away at Southampton since February 1951
• The Saints have won their last four home games against Hull
• Since Marco Silva was appointed Hull manager, they have won 20 points from 14 matches
• Only Burnley (4) have won fewer points away from home than the Tigers (5)

Conclusion

This is a massive game for Hull City but their away form has been absolutely dreadful and Marco Silva’s men just can’t seem to defend when they are on the road. The Tigers commitment and effort won’t be questioned, but the lack of quality from Southampton may just be too much in the end.

Verdict: Southampton

Odds: 4/6

Bookmaker: Bet 365