📊 Form Guide

Southampton

WDLDWW

Southampton are hoping to win again following the 3-2 Championship triumph versus Watford.

In that game, Southampton managed 62% possession and 13 attempts at goal with 4 of them on target. For Southampton, the scorers were Will Smallbone (1'), Ché Adams (20') and Flynn Downes (99'). At the other end, Watford got 12 attempts at goal with 6 of them on target. Ryan Porteous (34') and Ismaël Koné (85') scored for Watford.

Southampton have been conceding pretty frequently lately, although they have also found ways to hit the back of the net themselves. Looking at their last 6 games, Southampton have seen their goal breached in 5 of them as well as getting on the scoresheet in 5 of those matches.

Going into this game, the form guide shows that Southampton:

• haven't been beaten in the league by Preston North End in their previous 3 matches.
• are without a home win in the past 2 matches in the league.

Preston North End

WWLDWL

After suffering a loss in their previous game against Norwich City in Championship action, Preston North End and their travelling supporters will be hoping that they can get a better result in this one.

In that match, Preston North End had 40% possession and 12 attempts at goal with 2 on target. At the other end, Norwich City had 15 attempts at goal with 5 on target. Gabriel Sara (86') scored for Norwich City.

A series of effective showings from the Preston North End defenders has seen the number of goals they’ve conceded amounting to 4 from their last 6 outings combined. In that period, the number of goals that they have scored themselves amounts to 9. We will just have to find out whether or not that trend can be continued on in this game.

Ahead of this meeting, Preston North End are unbeaten in their last 3 league matches away from home.

👥 Head to head

Looking over their prior head to head clashes going back to 02/10/2007 tells us that Southampton have won 3 of these games and Preston North End 2, with the number of drawn games being 1.

Those games weren’t short on goals, either, with 23 overall which averages out at 3.83 goals per meeting.

The previous league match featuring the two was Championship match day 13 on 25/10/2023 which finished with the scoreline of Preston North End 2-2 Southampton.

On that occasion, Preston North End had 28% possession and 12 shots on goal with 5 on target. The goals were scored by Milutin Osmajić (52'), Brad Potts (55') and Ched Evans (96' Own goal).

At the other end, Southampton had 12 attempts on goal with 5 on target. Kyle Walker-Peters (33') scored.

The referee was Jeremy Simpson.

ℹ️ Team News: Southampton

Juan Larios (unknown injury) and Ross Stewart (Muscle injury) won’t be playing for Southampton manager Russell Martin.

We are thinking that The Saints could kick off with a 4-3-3 formation for the game featuring Gavin Bazunu, Kyle Walker-Peters, T. Harwood-Bellis, Jack Stephens, Ryan Manning, Flynn Downes, Will Smallbone, Stuart Armstrong, Ryan Fraser, Adam Armstrong and Che Adams.

🗞️ Team News: Preston North End

In an otherwise available group, there is only the lone fitness worry for the Preston North End gaffer Ryan Lowe to contend with. Finlay Cross-Adair (traffic accident) won’t be in action.

We are inclined to think that The Lilywhites seem likely to make use of a 3-5-2 lineup with a starting lineup of Freddie Woodman, Jordan Storey, Liam Lindsay, Andrew Hughes, Duane Holmes, Ryan Ledson, Alan Browne, M. Frøkjær-Jensen, Robert Brady, Milutin Osmajic and Will Keane.

🔮 Prediction

Our feeling is that Southampton should be able to create a good number of chances & successful shots on target.

At the same time, Preston North End will be up against it to make a breakthrough although we do think it’s probable that they will be managing to get on the scoresheet here.

Therefore, we are anticipating a decent 3-1 win for Southampton after 90 minutes.

Our expert partners are tipping over 1.5 goals for this match. Check out their VIP predictions here.

Peter Guest, 18:01 16/04/2024