Southampton vs Brentford prediction: ENGLAND: Premier League betting tips on match 2025-01-03 15:00.
[p]At the halfway stage of the Premier League season, things are looking desperate for bottom side Southampton, who finished matchday 19 eight points behind the side in 19th place. Ivan Jurić is yet to pick up a point since taking over as manager last month (L2), and was frustrated as his side conceded what he said were “really stupid goals” against Crystal Palace (L 2-1).[/p]
[p]The Saints therefore can’t afford further mistakes, especially as they’ve lost their last four home league fixtures and only won one of their last 16 Premier League games at St Mary’s (D3, L12). Starting 2025 by hosting Brentford could also be challenging after only winning one of the six home H2Hs this millennium (D2, L3), with those three defeats all being via a 2-0 scoreline.[/p]
[p]But injury-hit Brentford are struggling as they’re winless across their last four league games (D1, L3), losing 3-1 to Arsenal on New Year’s Day to remain in the bottom half of the table at the halfway stage. While they’re five points better off than they were at this stage last term, it leaves Thomas Frank’s side neither challenging for Europe nor battling against relegation.[/p]
[p]As they strive to move away from mid-table obscurity, the first step for the Bees is to end their winless run on the road in the league since victory in their final such fixture last season (D2, L7). That makes them the only side apart from Southampton yet to win a Premier League away game this term, so their aforementioned strong record here could be a confidence booster.[/p]
[p]Key battle: Tyler Dibling is the latest in a long line of young talents Southampton have produced – he’ll be looking to add to his two goals this term, both of which were match-openers inside the first 20 minutes. Brentford centre-back Nathan Collins will be busy against him, but is a threat himself with three direct goal contributions this term (G2, A1), all of which came in games that produced at least five goals![/p]
[p]Hot stat: No team has scored fewer Premier League goals at home than Southampton this term (seven – 0.78 goals per game average).[/p]
[p][i]Written by John Pennington[/i][/p]