Southampton vs Portsmouth Preview
Southampton are one of the best home sides in the Championship and dominate games at St Mary's. The Saints are likely to have too much quality against out-of-form Portsmouth.
Southampton on a 4 Match Winning Streak
- Southampton have won 4 consecutive Championship home games.
- Portsmouth have lost 2 of their last 4 away matches.
H2H - Saints Have the Edge
Southampton have a 35-21 advantage against Portsmouth, alongside 17 draws.
Southampton Play on the Front Foot at Home
Tonda Eckert’s Southampton have won all four Championship home games this season. The Saints average 4.75 goals per game at St Mary’s and have scored 15.
Southampton comfortably beat Millwall 5-1, Swansea 3-1 and Bristol City 4-1 in their last three at home. The south coast team have had 6.77 total XG across those three matches.
Eckert’s side lost 2-1 at Wrexham before the international break. Southampton had 2.08 XG, conceded first and James Ward-Prowse levelled before Wrexham scored a late second.
Portsmouth Lacking a Championship Threat
Portsmouth are 19th in the Championship and sit three points off the relegation zone. Pompey are winless in five of their opening seven fixtures.
John Mousinho’s team lost back-to-back games against Bristol City 2-1 and Derby 2-0 before defeating Cardiff 2-0 at home. Portsmouth then drew 0-0 at Charlton and had just 0.4 XG.
Pompey also drew 2-2 at home against Blackburn last time out. Zak Swanson scored in the fourth minute and Portsmouth conceded twice before Colby Bishop struck in the closing stages
Predicted Starting Lineups & Team News
Southampton (4-2-3-1): Daniel Peretz; James Bree, Nathan Wood, Keven Schlotterbeck, Ryan Manning; Flynn Downes, James Ward-Prowse; Kuryu Matsuki, Finn Azaz, Leo Scienza; Cyle Larin
Midfielder Caspar Jander is an injury doubt. Striker Cyle Larin and goalkeeper Daniel Peretz are available after recent injuries.
Tonda Eckert confirmed the pair’s availability and said Larin “looks sharp and ready to go” for the South Coast derby.
Portsmouth (4-2-3-1): Daniel Bielica; Terry Devlin, Regan Poole, Madiodio Dia, Jayden Meghoma; Marlon Pack, Rocco Robert Shein; Abu Kamara, Adrian Segecic, Tyrese Shade; Colby Bishop
Forwards Keshi Anderson, Luke Brooke-Smith, Josh Murphy and Thomas Waddingham are injured. Defender Connor Ogilvie is also sidelined due to a knee issue.
Attacker Marko Milovanovic and defender Conor Shaughnessy could miss out against Southampton due to injury. John Mousinho was unsure about the duo’s fitness and said:
“Shocks and Marko have been doing their rehab program. Marko has been back in training for parts this week, we’re not sure he’s going to make that for the weekend just yet.”