Prediction: Southampton vs Wolves

Prediction: Southampton win

Best Odds: 7/5

Bookmaker: bet365

The Premier League returns once again this weekend with a whole host of entertaining fixtures – and that’s especially true for the 3pm offerings this week. Today we’ll be taking a look at the impending clash between Southampton and Wolverhampton Wanderers, which pits two teams against one another who have both experienced some real lows to go alongside their highs in the last 10-15 years. For every appearance in Europe comes a memory of life in League One, which neither seems to be edging back towards in a hurry.

Southampton

It’s funny what a few weeks can do for the confidence of both a team and a manager. Ralph Hasenhüttl has taken Southampton from relegation strugglers to genuine contenders for a place in the top six – and certainly the top half. There will be calls for the gaffer to introduce a few new faces into the mix before the January transfer window ends, but for now, they need to just focus on riding this wave of momentum for as long as they possibly can.

Team News

The only notable injury concern is Yan Valery who has been ruled out, whereas Adams and Djenepo are both hoping to break their way into the starting XI at the expense of Shane Long.

Wolves

The issue with Wolves isn’t a lack of quality: it’s a lack of options. Nuno Espirito Santo has never been one to favor using all too many substitutes anyway, but when the situation is as questionable as it is, it makes you wonder how they’ve been able to keep going for so long this season. They’re still in with a great shout of finishing in the top six and they certainly aren’t relegation contenders, but their fans will desperately want to see some kind of activity between now and the end of January.

Team News

Boly and Jota are the two big names that are out of action right now for the visitors, with Vinagre and Bennett being tipped to feature.

Factors to Consider

• In their last meeting back in October, these two teams drew 1-1.
• Southampton have won five and drawn one of their last six games.
• Wolves have won one, drawn two and lost three of their last six games.
• Southampton have scored 11 goals and conceded three in their last six games.
• Wolves have scored five goals and conceded seven in their last six games.

Conclusion

The Saints have been able to put a lot of good teams to the sword in the last few weeks, and we think they’re going to do it again to Wolves. They’re playing with a real attacking intent, Wolves haven’t won in their last five and can’t afford to rotate their tired squad too much, and this is exactly the sort of game Nuno’s men have been struggling with. It’s not going to be a one sided battering but we do think Southampton will be able to keep their phenomenal run of form going.

Prediction: Southampton win

Best Odds: 7/5

Bookmaker: bet365