Liverpool to struggle past Saints

Liverpool have an opportunity to really put some pressure on Manchester City on Friday night as they head to Saint Mary’s but will it be that straight forward?

Resurgent Saints

It wasn’t long ago that Southampton looked odds on favourites to go down. After just one win in their opening 16 games, their future looked about as secure as a sausage at a baseball game.

One change of manager, seven wins and 24 points later and the Hampshire outfit are out of the bottom three and have a five-point cushion on the team in 18th.

It is fair to say that Ralph Hasenhuttl has done a wonderful job with a squad of players that looked devoid of both confidence and attacking edge during the first four-and-a-half months of the season.

Since the German took charge Southampton have only conceded three or more goals in a game twice and that was against Manchester City and Manchester United. Prior to the former RB Leipzig boss taking over, the Saints had been leaking goals at an alarming pace.

In fact, Southampton had conceded 33% more goals (30) in the 16 games before Husenhuttl took over compared to the 15 since (20).

Southampton are strong at home

The Saints have lost 14 games in the Premier League this season but only five of those have come at St Mary’s. This may sound impressive but they have also drawn six times and won only four so perhaps not that strong after all.

However, they have won the last two on home turf, against Fulham and Tottenham, and will be feeling confident against a Liverpool side who are just beginning to tense up a little.

Rising tensions

Liverpool have only lost once this season which is a remarkable achievement yet it may not be enough to win the title.

If you were looking from the outside you would see form that suggests the Reds are at their best having won the last three straight but this is not the case.

They laboured to a 4-2 win against Burnley before relying on a penalty to beat Fulham and a late, late goal to see them past Spurs so it may not be plain sailing on the south coast for Jurgen Klopp’s men.

Betting tip

Assuming that Manchester City beat Cardiff on Wednesday, Liverpool will have the chance to return to the top of the Premier League with a win at St Mary’s. It is pretty likely they will do it but backing them to come from behind to pick up all three points at odds of 8/1 seems well worth a punt.

Bet Liverpool to win from behind on 888sport