MX23RW : Thursday, March 16 21:24:21| >> :120:43458:43458:
[monks data]
Mar 15, 2023 at 7.30pm UK at St Mary's Stadium
Southampton
0 - 2
Brentford

Bednarek (90+3')
FT(HT: 0-1)
Toney (32'), Wissa (90+7')
Hickey (79'), Toney (90+3')

Preview: Southampton vs. Brentford - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Saturday's Premier League clash between Southampton and Brentford, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Since this article was published, this match has been postponed due to the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

Brentford will aim to keep the momentum going from their pulsating seven-goal success over Leeds United when they travel to Southampton for Saturday's Premier League contest at St Mary's.

Thomas Frank's men ran out 5-2 winners over the Whites last time out, while the Saints fell to a 1-0 defeat away to Wolverhampton Wanderers.


Match preview

Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl barks orders on August 27, 2022© Reuters

Even with Raul Jimenez pulling up with an issue before kickoff and new signing Sasa Kalajdzic suffering an ACL injury less than an hour into his debut, a Wolves side boasting the league's least successful attack still found a way past Southampton last weekend.

Daniel Podence's goal just before half time condemned Ralph Hasenhuttl's side to defeat at Molineux and send them crashing back down to earth following their midweek success over Chelsea, but the Saints have not suffered the abysmal start to the season that some predicted.

Taking seven points from the first 18 on offer in the top flight means that Southampton occupy 12th spot in the table ahead of the visit of Brentford, but they are still waiting for their first clean sheet of the league season and have now conceded in each of their last 12 top-flight matches.

The late acquisition of Duje Caleta-Car and strong form of Armel Bella-Kotchap should certainly help the hosts obtain a long-awaited shut-out soon, but Hasenhuttl's side have responded very well when conceding first - as they have done in each of their last five Premier League games.

Brentford's Ivan Toney celebrates scoring their second goal on September 3, 2022© Reuters

Boldly claiming that Ivan Toney only sits behind Harry Kane in the list of England's top strikers, Brentford boss Thomas Frank could not stop singing the praises of the 26-year-old following his wonderful hat-trick in the 5-2 thumping of Leeds.

After ensuring that the match ball would belong under his arm with a penalty, a stunning free kick and a delicate chip some 20 yards from goal, Toney took a back seat as Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa completed the job for Brentford, who were not phased by Luis Sinisterra and Marc Roca's responses.

Brentford's defence has been far from impenetrable so far this term, but a continued emphasis on attacking stardom has elevated the Bees to eighth in the table at this early stage, and only Manchester City (20) can better their 15-goal haul so far.

Frank's side have now gone unbeaten in their last three Premier League matches and have lost just one so far this term - firmly cementing their place among the big boys - and picking up a first away win of the campaign is next on the agenda for the Bees.

All three of Brentford's away games in the top flight so far this term have seen both teams score, but the Bees were taught a footballing lesson in a 4-1 loss to Southampton at St Mary's last term before gleaning a slice of revenge with a 3-0 home win four months ago.

Southampton Premier League form:
  • L
  • D
  • W
  • L
  • W
  • L

Southampton form (all competitions):
  • D
  • W
  • W
  • L
  • W
  • L

Brentford Premier League form:
  • D
  • W
  • L
  • D
  • D
  • W

Brentford form (all competitions):
  • W
  • L
  • W
  • D
  • D
  • W


Team News

Marseille's Duje Caleta-Car pictured on August 14, 2022© Reuters

Southampton youngsters Romeo Lavia and Valentino Livramento remain out of contention through injury, and Caleta-Car needed more time to get up to speed following his deadline-day arrival so was not involved in the defeat to Wolves.

The Croatian centre-back will expect to be a part of the squad for this game, but Bella-Kotchap and Mohammed Salisu will expect to retain their partnership in front of Gavin Bazunu for the time being.

Nineteen-year-old Samuel Edozie caught the eye with his showing off the bench for Southampton at Wolves, but Stuart Armstrong and Ainsley Maitland-Niles are more likely to start if Hasenhuttl opts for an engine room change or two.

Brentford's situation on the injury front is almost identical, as Frank is set to be working without Christian Norgaard (Achilles) and Ethan Pinnock (knee) for the trip down south.

It remains to be seen if Sergi Canos will be able to battle back from a thigh injury in time to make himself available, but Aaron Hickey and Bryan Mbeumo's spots should be safe either way.

Competition is rife on the opposite flank as Wissa, Mikkel Damsgaard and Keane Lewis-Potter vie for chances to start, but the former's goal off the bench against Leeds could see him force his way back into the XI.

Southampton possible starting lineup:
Bazunu; Walker-Peters, Bella-Kotchap, Salisu, Perraud; Ward-Prowse, Diallo, Armstrong; Aribo, Armstrong, Djenepo

Brentford possible starting lineup:
Raya; Hickey, Jansson, Mee, Henry; Jensen, Janelt, Dasilva; Mbeumo, Toney, Wissa


SM words green background

We say: Southampton 1-2 Brentford

Southampton have developed into a force to be reckoned with when going behind, but Brentford are just as strong at responding to setbacks, which should lead to an entertaining battle with plenty of goalmouth action.

Frank's side have not been able to replicate their home successes on the road yet, but with Southampton not boasting a penchant for clean sheets, we can envisage the Bees running out narrow winners.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting over 2.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Over 2.5:data

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Game History

How you voted: Southampton vs Brentford

Southampton
30.2%
Draw
17.9%
Brentford
52.0%
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Brentford's Ivan Toney celebrates scoring their second goal on September 3, 2022
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7Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton25126746311542
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17West Ham UnitedWest Ham2666142434-1024
18Bournemouth2666142551-2624
19Leeds UnitedLeeds2658133142-1123
20Southampton2764172043-2322

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