Southampton vs Leeds prediction: ENGLAND: Premier League betting tips on match 2022-08-12 14:00.
Southampton look to respond to a 4-1 hammering at Tottenham on the opening weekend of the season as they welcome Leeds to St Mary’s. The prospects of that appear slim considering the Saints have not won their first home game of a Premier League campaign since 2004/05 (D6, L4 since), though incidentally they were relegated to the Championship that season!
Ralph Hasenhüttl’s side finished just five points above the relegation zone last year, not helped by losing five of their final six league matches (W1) on the South Coast. They did however beat Leeds on home turf last season (1-0), though that does serve as just their only win against United across the last five H2Hs (W1, D1, L3).
Leeds meanwhile had a winning start to the campaign, beating Wolves 2-1 at Elland Road. It was a good start to try and forget what was an underwhelming campaign last time around, as Leeds finished below Southampton and only escaped relegation on the final day thanks to a 2-1 victory at Brentford, one of just five successes on their travels last season (D5, L9).
The first-ever H2H was actually 100 years ago this month, and saw Leeds come away with a 1-0 away win. However, more recently the visitors haven’t enjoyed a great record at this venue, losing on six of their nine previous visits (W3). The Lilywhites are enjoying life on the road under Jesse Marsch though, winning three of their last five away league games in 2021/22 and know victory here could see them top the table if results elsewhere fall their way.
Players to watch: James Ward-Prowse scored on opening day and has now netted five goals in his last ten Southampton appearances, starting with his strike at Leeds in April. Meanwhile Leeds will hope to have new signing Luis Sinisterra available and five of his last six Feyenoord goals were either the game’s first or last.
Hot stat: Both teams have scored in only two of the last ten meetings between these two sides.