STAR PREVIEW: Southampton v Brighton

Overheard a football conversation in the pub (not hard) the other night and all the talk was about who would go down from the Premier League.

The bottom end of the table always seems to stimulate more interest than winning it these days. I guess there are so many more relegation possibilities and more than a dollop of schadenfreude amongst the fans.

The pub consensus, for what it’s worth (very little in all likelihood) is that it’s Burnley, Huddersfield and any one from 10.

That ten could easily include Southampton or Brighton who meet in the south coast derby tonight at St Mary’s.

It doesn’t promise much on paper. Southampton have had one win in their last 13 league games and Brighton are the only Premier League side yet to register an away point or even a goal.

So whether the weekend tally of 29 goals so far in the Premier League will breach 30 is anyones guess.

Up front forwards Shane Long and Charlie Austin are both doubts for Southampton with toe and hamstring issues respectively whilst Danny Ings has to overcome a blister problem.

Brighton’s Pascal Gross faces a fitness test.

The Seagulls manager Chris Hughton said: “Southampton are on the back of a very good win in their last game [at Crystal Palace] and are a team I’m sure will be playing with a lot of confidence.

“What we can’t do is underestimate the qualities they have got. They have got a very good squad and a very good team.

“We will have to play at the levels that we have done in the last three games to give ourselves a chance.”

Southampton v Brighton & Hove Albion
Premier League
20:00 Sky Sports Premier League / Sky Sports Main Event / Sky Sports Ultra HD

HEAD TO HEAD RECORD
(Maximum 10 matches)
Aug 2018 EFL CUP Brighton 0 – 1 Southampton
Jan 2018 PREMIER Brighton 1 – 1 Southampton
Jan 2012 CHAMPIONSHIP Brighton 3 – 0 Southampton
Nov 2011 CHAMPIONSHIP Southampton 3 – 0 Brighton
Apr 2011 LEAGUE ONE Brighton 1 – 2 Southampton
Nov 2010 LEAGUE ONE Southampton 0 – 0 Brighton
Apr 2010 LEAGUE ONE Brighton 2 – 2 Southampton
Nov 2009 LEAGUE ONE Southampton 1 – 3 Brighton
Apr 2006 CHAMPIONSHIP Brighton 0 – 2 Southampton

It’s pretty hard to make a case for either side so we are in DRAW territory which can be backed at 23/10 with starsports.bet

RECOMMENDED BETS (scale of 1-100 points)
BACK DRAW 7pts at 23/10 with starsports.bet

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