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Southampton are looking to win three successive first division games in London for the first time since 1985, following recent 3-2 wins at West Ham and Tottenham. Brentford though haven’t conceded in each of their last three home games.
Both teams to score is 7/10.
Both teams to score and over 2.5 goals is 6/5.
Brentford to win and over 2.5 goals is 12/5.
Ivan Toney has scored eight goals in his last 11 appearances. He is 7/2 to break the deadlock and 21/20 to score anytime.
Match preview
Both teams are on 40 points, meaning they’re all but mathematically safe from relegation, so will either enjoy a strong finish to the campaign?
Back in January, the Bees were hammered 4-1 at St Mary’s in the reverse fixture, commencing a run in which they amassed just one point from eight games.
However, since the start of March, Thomas Frank’s side have won five of eight games, zooming away from danger and into mid-table safety.
On Monday night though, Brentford were swatted aside by Manchester United, going down 3-0 at Old Trafford.
This is the first time the Bees have conceded 3+ in a game since their previous meeting with Man United back on 19 January.
But, on their own turf, Frank’s side are unbeaten in three, beating Burnley and West Ham before a goalless draw with Spurs, a game they really should’ve won too.
Southampton meanwhile have won only four of 15 outings since that aforementioned hammering of Brentford just after the turn of the year.
That night, Jan Bednark, Armando Broja and Ché Adams all scored, with Saints fans hoping to hunt down the European places in the second half of the campaign.
However, this hasn’t materialised and Ralph Hasenhüttl’s team come into this one having only won one of their last nine.
Last weekend, despite taking the lead through Oriol Romeu’s ninth minute header, Crystal Palace left St Mary’s 2-1 winners, the go-ahead goal coming in stoppage time.
So, the Saints have dropped down to 15th and, with their last two games against Liverpool and Leicester, this position may only worsen.
Will the Brentford Community Stadium witness a seventh Premier League home win of the season?
Brentford team news
Kristoffer Ajer missed the last home game against Spurs due to injury, but was back in on Monday night so will start once more.
With Ethan Pinnock a doubt, Mads Bech Sørensen could continue alongside Ajer and Pontus Jansson as the back three.
In goal, Álvaro Fernández was responsible for an own goal when Brentford visited Southampton, putting in a characteristically shaky display.
Thus, David Raya’s return to fitness has been a key reason for Brentford’s resurgence.
They’ve won eight of 21 games with him between the sticks (38%), as oppose to just two wins from 14 without (14%).
The other is Christian Eriksen’s integration into the XI.
He was at his sparkling best at Old Trafford, with that game the first time he’s lost when starting for Brentford.
Eriksen has also helped reinvigorate Ivan Toney; eight of his 12 Premier League goals coming since the Dane’s debut.
The last player to better Toney’s tally in their club’s debut Premier League campaign is DJ Campbell with 13 for Blackpool in 2010/11.
All four of Bryan Mbeumo’s Premier League goals have come against sides beginning with W, something he’ll be hoping to change.
Southampton team news
Despite this being a generally underwhelming season for Southampton, it’ll be remembered for James Ward-Prowse’s magnificent form.
He’s been involved in 14 league goals this season, scoring nine, one below his best campaign for goal involvements, accumulating 15 last year.
Ward-Prowe and the man he assisted last weekend, Oriol Romeu, will continue at the base of midfield.
Despite being out of contract in a matter of weeks, Fraser Forster will start in goal for the 20th game in succession.
Kyle Walker-Peters and Romain Perraud will continue at full-back after Tino Livramento suffered a horrific injury a fortnight ago.
Further forward, out of nowhere, Shane Long has started the last two Premier League games, last starting three in a row in March 2020.
Stuart Armstrong, Adam Armstrong, Mohamed Elyounoussi and Armando Broja were all on the bench last weekend, but any number of them could return.
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