Southampton vs Wolves
Date: 13/04/2019
K/O: 15:00
Venue: St. Mary’s
Referee: Jonathan Moss
Ralph Hasenhuttl will be determined to stop Wolves from completing the double over the Saints this weekend after their 2-0 defeat at the Molineux earlier in the season.
Historically, Wolves and Southampton have been evenly matched. Out of the 36 games played between the two sides, the points have been shared 10 times, with each side managing 13 wins. However, with four wins and two draws in the last six games, the pendulum has been swinging Wolves’ way in recent fixtures. Current league positions would suggest that Wolves have the upper hand this season too with nine places separating the two teams. The two managers are instigators of fast flowing attacking football, and with 96 goals scored in the 36 games played, an attacking affair can be expected and looked forward to by the fans come Saturday.
Wolves have been somewhat inconsistent this season yet their performances against the big guns have kept them in the fight for a Europa League spot in 7th. Wolves have lived up to their name against the top six this season, taking seven points from Chelsea, Manchester United and Spurs in their most recent fixtures.
An outsider looking in at these results would not be wrong to assume that Wolves are a top-quality side with huge potential to pressure the top six. Consistency is where Nuno Santo’s men fall, losing to Burnley, Huddersfield and Crystal Palace in recent fixtures. Although it could be argued that these sides are fighting for survival, it is simply not good enough to be consistently losing against bottom half sides if the club’s ambition is to keep rising. There is phenomenal talent and potential within the club, reinforced by good signings and consistency it would be hard to argue against Wolves pushing for a Champions League spot next season.
As for the Saints, Hasenhuttl has completely changed the mentality within the Southampton FC community, and it has evidently had a huge effect on the players too, winning three out of their last five matches. Granted, they haven’t been as successful as Wolves against top six sides, but from watching the games, United and Liverpool certainly weren’t comfortable and Hasenhuttl’s men were making statements that they are a force to be reckoned with, despite their below-par league position.
Southampton’s record against promoted sides isn’t anything to shout about however as they have the third highest amount of losses (37) in the Premier League, with only West Ham and Aston Villa behind them. If Southampton can hold on to Hasenhuttl over the summer and build on their current side, a relegation battle will be something that Saints fans can hope is a thing of the past, and was just a dip in the club’s performances after four consecutive top-eight finishes.
It can almost be deemed admirable that the Saints have managed to survive this rut, only avoiding relegation by one point last season. They currently find themselves five points ahead of the relegation zone, with six games to go – a slightly more comfortable place to be in.
Team News
Southampton
Huge results against Spurs and Brighton in recent games have put the Saints in a much better position than they found themselves in last year. Excusing Wolves, Southampton’s remaining six games only involve one side in the top half – Watford, who are currently sitting tenth. No fixture should ever be taken for granted in the Premier League but a bottom half run in is ideal compared to a top half run in. Cardiff, their closest relegation candidates, are yet to play Manchester United and Liverpool which will fill the Saints with confidence.
Danny Ings is expected to return from injury for this fixture which will be a boost for the Saints as his attacking play and business around the box has often led to the creation of chances. This leaves Mario Lemina and Michael Obafemi on the injury list with respective abdominal and hamstring injuries. While attacking options are anyone’s guess for the Saints, Ings looks like the better candidate ahead of Long and Austin.
A higher position is possible for the Saints as only five points separate 13th and 17th place, the same amount of points separate 17th and 18th. The Saints are the orchestrators of their league position and with their run-in, a higher position is perfectly viable.
Wolverhampton Wanderers
Raul Jimenez has been pivotal in Wolves’ results this season, scoring 12 and assisting seven which equates to 48% of Wolves’ goal tally this season. Putting this into context, only Eden Hazard has a higher percentage of goal involvement (49%). Partnering with Diego Jota, who has scored seven goals this season in the league, Wolves pose a huge threat to Southampton’s back three. On the contrary, Wolves have been unable to keep a clean sheet in their last 12 games and are without a win in their last four games on the road.
Wolves sit in eighth position currently and only behind Leicester on goal difference (+1). Their final fixtures include Arsenal and Liverpool, any other side would be anxious at the thought. However, considering their recent results against the top six, Wolves’ fans will be relishing at the opportunity to take points off the big teams. They also play already relegated Fulham and they have plenty of opportunities to gain points over their European rivals, Leicester. The Foxes are still to play Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City, so a shot at Europe next year is looking likely for Santo’s men.
Predicted Starting XIs
Southampton: (3-4-2-1) Gunn; Vestergaard, Yoshida, Bednarek; Valery, Romeu, Hojbjerg, Bertrand; Ward-Prowse, Redmond; Ings
Wolves: (3-5-2) Patricio; Saiss, Coady, Boly; Doherty, Dendoncker, Neves, Moutinho, Jonny; Jimenez, Jota
Score Prediction: Southampton 2 Wolves 1
Taking into account Wolves’ reputation against bottom half sides this season and their current poor away form combined with a renewed Southampton pushing for a higher place, it is difficult to see Wolves coming away with a result despite their record against the Saints in recent years.
