Southampton vs Rotherham prediction: ENGLAND: Championship betting tips on match 2023-10-06 14:00.
The tide may just be turning for Southampton under new boss Russell Martin, as they’ve recovered admirably from a four-match losing streak by winning successive Championship matches. Martin spoke of his “pride and enjoyment” at the football his side played in a gritty 1-0 win at Stoke, a result which moved his side onto 16 points, with only goal difference keeping them out of the top-six ahead of this round.
A large reason for that is the Saints’ leaky defence, as only two sides have conceded more than their 20 goals, with upcoming opponents Rotherham United (21) one of them. Southampton will look to keep the back door closed in their first H2H since September 2008, but worryingly they’ve conceded at least once in each of their last 12 home games, a contributing factor as to why they’ve won just five times at St Mary’s in 2023.
This will be Rotherham’s maiden visit to the Saints’ home of 23 years, and they carry with them a strong historical H2H record, last losing this fixture back in April 1965, although the sides have only met five times since (W4, D1). The history books may be the only place Millers fans can gain any confidence from after a dismal start to the season that’s seen them win just five points from their first ten matches, a run that leaves them entrenched in the drop zone.
The misery continued in midweek for the Millers as they conceded a 96th minute goal to lose 2-1 to Bristol City, but under-fire manager Matty Taylor insisted it was one of his side’s “stronger team displays” of recent weeks. If he’s to relieve some of the growing pressure on his position, a long-awaited away win would go a long way, as Rotherham last won on the road in the Championship back in November 2022 against Sheffield United (D7, L11), failing to score in 11 of those subsequent 18 matches!
Players to watch: Southampton striker Adam Armstrong has scored three times in his last three appearances, while he netted in both of his personal H2Hs against Rotherham as a Blackburn player in 2020/21. Rotherham could be relying on Jordan Hugill to outscore him, as both sides have found the net on each of his last six goalscoring appearances.
Hot stat: Saints boss Martin has never beaten Rotherham as a manager (D3, L1), with each of his last three H2Hs ending 1-1.