Southampton vs Swansea prediction: ENGLAND: Championship betting tips on match 2023-12-25 15:00.
Southampton got themselves in the festive spirit by beating QPR 1-0 on Saturday, closing the gap to the Championship automatic promotion places to seven points as a result. Boss Russell Martin was pleased by his side’s mentality after seeing out a hard-fought victory that extended his slide’s unbeaten run to 15 league matches (W10, D5), just one shy of their club-record streak set back in 1950!
Southampton are well placed to match that feat, as they’ve conceded just twice in their last six matches, while they’ve found the net in a league-high 91% of their fixtures this term. Martin will therefore be confident as he gears up to face his former employers, and the St Mary’s faithful should share his optimism as the Saints have lost just one of the last six H2Hs (W4, D1), keeping four clean sheets in the process.
Just like their opposition here, Swansea also began the hectic Christmas schedule with a victory, as they beat Preston 2-1 on Friday night thanks to a 95th-minute winner from Jamie Paterson. That win pulled the Swans further away from the relegation spots, and continued a strong recent run of form that’s seen them lose just one of their last five matches (W2, D2).
That’s strengthened caretaker boss Alan Sheehan’s case for a permanent appointment, and as Swansea sit equidistant between the play-offs and relegation zone, they’ll be keen to build momentum heading into 2024. Even for high-flying Southampton, the visitors are dangerous opponents as they have scored in each of their last eight league games, while no team has been involved in more Championship matches this campaign that have seen both sides score (17).
Players to watch: Southampton’s Adam Armstrong has netted 12 Championship goals this season, six of which have come before the 25th minute, though he’s failed to score in all eight of his prior personal H2Hs. As for Swansea, they could be reliant on Jerry Yates here, who’s struck six Championship goals in six matches, all of which saw his side go unbeaten (W3, D3).
Hot stat: Six of the last nine league H2Hs have finished 1-0 either way.