Prediction and odds for the game: Southampton (8/13) v Aston Villa (4/1)
We are backing the home win
When: Saturday 22nd February 2020, Kick-off 3 PM
Where: St Mary’s Stadium
On Saturday afternoon, Southampton will attempt to move further clear of the relegation zone, as the Saints welcome relegation-threatened Aston Villa to St Mary’s in the Premier League.
Southampton
The home side looks relatively comfortable on 31 points in 12th place. However, the team from the south coast are still just seven points above the relegation zone. Everybody connected with the club will feel that they still have work to do to secure their top-flight status for next season.
A 2-1 home defeat by Burnley means that Ralph Hasenhuttl’s team have lost three of their last four league matches. They also conceded at least two goals in each of those three defeats. The Saints cannot afford another slip-up against the struggling visitors.
The Saints recent home form is a major concern, as the home side has won just three of their last 15 home matches in the Premier League. To make matters worse, they have suffered defeat in three of their last five league games at St Mary’s.
Southampton’s recent home games have been good for goals, as there have been over 2.5 goals scored in eight of their previous 11 home matches in the English top-flight.
Aston Villa
Dean Smith’s side has endured a difficult return to the Premier League following promotion last season. The Villans are currently just a point above the relegation zone. A 3-2 home defeat against Tottenham means that Villa have won just one of their last five league matches, having suffered three defeats in the process.
One of the visitor’s main problems of late has been conceding too many goals, as they have kept just one Premier League clean sheet in 13 outings. In fact, no team has conceded more top-flight goals than the Villans this season.
Villa have won just twice on their travels in the Premier League this season while winning just once in their last night away matches. Once again conceding too many goals has been at the heart of Villa’s poor away results. The Villans have not kept a Premier League clean sheet on the road since January 2016. Even considering their two-year absence from the top-flight is a poor record.
Conclusion
Both sides are in poor form heading into this clash. However, Southampton are the favourites to win this contest. Villa’s recent away record in the top-flight makes it easy to back the Saints to pull off a victory. Although neither side has been prolific, neither can defend either, which is why we are backing the over 2.5 goals scored.
Verdict: We are backing the home win at odds of 8/13 and/or the over 2.5 goals scored at odds of 8/13. (All odds are taken from Bet365).
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