Southampton vs Tottenham Prediction & Betting Tips - Premier League

Prediction published on 18/09/2020, 07:00  by Daniel Ngulu | Modified on 18/09/2020 at 07:07 in Premier League Predictions

Southampton have had a poor start to the 2020/21 season, with two straight losses and as they prepare for their third game of the season, a Premier League home clash with Tottenham Hotspur, the target is to register a win. On the opening weekend, Southampton lost 1-0 away to Crystal Palace while Tottenham were 1-0 losers at home to Everton. Both sides had midweek assignments, which came with mixed results and looking at their recent meetings, we expect a close game here. Southampton made a few changes to the team in the game against Brentford in the Carabao Cup, which they lost 2-0. They have failed to build on their strong closing run last season when they went unbeaten in seven games and the slow start is similar to last season when they lost their opening two games and went on to win just two of their first 13 league games. Against Crystal Palace, The Saints had a good showing but that counted for little at the end as they walked away empty handed, though the way they created chances can’t be ignored. A little sharpening upfront will do them a lot of good and the fact that they haven’t lost to Spurs at home in the last four meetings should spur them. Southampton’s talisman Danny Ings went close in the loss to Palace and will be hoping to be luckier here, having scored in three of his last four appearances against Tottenham. The Saints were not the strongest side at home last season, but they wrapped it up unbeaten in three league games at home.

Tottenham, on their part, head to this game straight from a Europa League clash in Bulgaria where they had to labor for a 2-1 win over Lokomotiv Plovdiv on Thursday. The North Londoners had to come from a goal down, against a nine-man side to win it late as they lacked their usual fluidity. Jose Mourinho fielded a strong side and we expect that most of these players are the same he will use in the Southampton clash, which carries the risk of fatigue. By the time they get to play the game, Southampton would have had extra rest and the fact that they didn’t travel is also an advantage. In their last six competitive matches, Spurs have one clean sheet and in 14 away matches across all competitions, they have three wins. In their last 10 away matches, they have one clean sheet and in their opening game against Everton, the score sheet stayed at 1-0 only because Everton were not clinical. Facing Ings in the Southampton forward line will call for more. However, after the scare in Bulgaria, Spurs may want to express themselves more in the final third, inspired by the two goals they got on Thursday. Both these sides have scored in 10 of their last 11 meetings and four of the last six meetings have produced over 2.5 goals.