Southampton vs Sunderland: Betting Odds & Prediction
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Southampton look to continue their promotion push when they host Sunderland at St. Mary's on Saturday afternoon.
Kick-off is set for 3pm local time.
Recent Form
Southampton returned to winning ways with a thrilling 4-3 win away at Birmingham City last weekend. Their two previous games had seen consecutive defeats - a run of form which threatened to dent their chances of a Premier League return next season.
Russell Martin's side have been praised for their expansive approach this year and have an average of two points per game in the league. Southampton have also exceeded their expected goal tally for the season; despite a 1.88 xG per game, the Saints have averaged 1.97 goals so far. They have however conceded more than anticipated; shipping an average of 1.29 goals a game compared to 1.12 expected goals against.
Their scoring form at home makes for solid reading, with Martin's side averaging a 1.99 xG while scoring an average of 2.41 goals a game on home soil.
Southampton matches have averaged 3.26 goals per game, and an average of 3.71 at St. Mary's Stadium.
Sunderland meanwhile languish in eleventh place on 47 points, three points behind Cardiff City in tenth. The Black Cats suffered a 1-0 home defeat to league leaders Leicester City on Tuesday, making it five consecutive defeats in a row.
Interim manager Mike Dodds' side have lost 50% of their away games in the Championship this season (W4, 5, L9). Sunderland have also averaged 1.67 points per game, but only 0.94 on the road. They have also shipped 19 goals on their travels while only scoring 17.
Despite averaging an xG of 1.56 goals away from home. Sunderland have averaged just 0.94 so far. They have also averaged 1.20 goals conceded when travelling.
Team News
Southampton full-back Kyle Walker-Peters is expected to be out until late March with a muscle injury. Winger Ryan Fraser will also be absent until mid-April. Forward Ross Stewart has also been ruled out until the end of the season, while Juan Larios isn't expected to return until the end of the month.
Sunderland head down South with a lengthy injury list. Forward Jack Clarke is out until mid-April with an ankle injury, while both Patrick Roberts and Bradley Dack are out until the end of the month with hamstring injuries. Niall Huggins' groin injury rules him out for the rest of the season, while Dennis Cirkin is also out with a groin injury. Dennis Hirkin and Corry Evans are also absent. Luke O'Nien misses out through suspension.
Betting Odds
There are no surprises as Southampton enter as strong favourites. Coral offer the Saints at 10/21 outright, while BetUK rate the away victory at 6/1. The draw comes in at 19/5 with Sky Bet.
Prediction
Southampton know a win is needed here if they are to keep pace for a spot in the automatic play-off positions at the end of the season. The Preston game being postponed midweek means the home side have had a week's rest which will boost their prospects of securing three points on Saturday.
OddsNow back the home side to secure another valuable win while finding the back of the net on a couple of occasions against a Sunderland team who have made habit of conceding goals on the road this campaign.