Southampton vs Blackburn prediction: ENGLAND: Championship betting tips on match 2023-12-15 15:00.
Southampton rescued a point in midweek during a 1-1 draw with Coventry, a result which in turn extended their unbeaten run in the Championship to 13 matches (W8, D5). The Saints sit firmly in the play-off positions as a result and next, manager Russell Martin will look to inspire his troops further as they chase a run of five successive home league wins for the first time since November 2014.
It’s safe to say that St Mary’s has become a fortress of late then, as Southampton plot an immediate return to the Premier League. Overall on their return to the second-tier, the South coast club have failed to score in just one of their ten league outings at this venue, though they have also conceded the second-most Championship home goals (14) of any side starting this round in the top-half.
Visiting Blackburn put their back-to-back Championship defeats to Sheffield Wednesday and Leeds behind them in midweek, as they ran out 2-1 victors against Bristol City to remain in the play-off hunt. Jon Dahl Tomasson’s men sit just outside the top-six ahead of this matchday, though their inconsistency continues to hinder their ultimate promotion push as so far this term, they’ve both won and lost exactly ten matches (D1).
Given that they’ve taken more points away from Ewood Park (16) than on home soil (15) in the league this season, a return to the road might suit them. That may not help them as they visit St Mary’s however, as Blackburn have won just one of their last 19 visits to Southampton (D5, L13).
Players to watch: The division’s leading marksmen face-off here, as Southampton’s Adam Armstrong faces his former employers having scored ten goals in his last 11 home league matches. Sammie Szmodics leads the race for the Championship golden boot with 14 goals, eight of which have come on the road.
Hot stat: Southampton have won 150 corners in the Championship this season – the most of any side.