Southampton vs Preston Match Preview: Injuries Pile Up As Saints Host Confident Preston | OneFootball

Southampton are set to host the surprise package of the season, Preston, in a fixture of contrasting fortunes. Many had doubts over Paul Heckingbottom’s side, even predicting them among the relegated sides. However, it is their opposition – the Saints – who languish at the bottom of the table.

But why are their situations so different, despite the gap in quality on paper, and who looks likely to come out on top this Saturday?

Current Form

Southampton

Will Still’s men are without a win in their past four. Beating Sheffield United feels like a distant memory for the Southampton faithful, as the season progresses and results decline in quality each week.

Preston

Despite losing before last weekend, Preston were able to claw back and mount a 3-2 comeback against Sheffield United. Two wins in their past five (the same amount that Southampton have all season) show they can grind out results—a key feature of any strong side in the Championship.

Why is it getting worse for Southampton?

There are many factors for the Saints’ decline this season, and in the past three or four years, really. With young and inexperienced signings yet to adapt, there’s been little, if any, improvement to last season’s squad. Thus, similar issues have emerged: from defensive frailties to a complete lack of end product, underperforming their xG by nine goals.

Major injuries seem to pop up after every game now. Striker Ross Stewart seemed to find his tempo, scoring two against Sheffield United, but suffered a long-term injury days later. Shea Charles, who played every game this season, has suffered a hamstring injury and is now set for 6–7 weeks on the sideline. Even illnesses have spread like wildfire. Flynn Downes has been a major victim of this, alongside Caspar Jander, Tom Fellows and Jay Robinson last week.

Teams have now started to realise that playing Southampton on the front foot will lead to goals. Teams like Blackburn and Bristol City initially sat back, and once Southampton scored, the Saints struggled to handle the counter-pressure, leading to them conceding five goals in two games. If Still’s men can’t reorganise themselves, winning will be a rarity for much, much longer.

Preview

Injuries and Suspensions

Southampton

Welington – Suspended (Red Card)Ross Stewart – Hamstring Injury, OutElias Jelert – Quadricep Injury, OutSamuel Edozie – Ankle Injury, OutShea Charles – Hamstring Injury, OutCameron Archer – Ankle Injury, Doubtful

Preston

Brad Potts – Muscle Injury, DoubtfulJordan Thompson – Leg Injury, OutJoshua Seary – ACL Injury, OutLewis Gibson – Muscle Injury, DoubtfulPol Valentin – Muscle Injury, DoubtfulRobert Brady – Calf Injury, DoubtfulWill Keane – Calf Injury, Doubtful

Manager Quotes

Will Still on needing his men to be proactive: “I can’t coach every single moment of a game. I can’t coach our two centre-halves smashing into each other and giving them a one-on-one; there wasn’t a plan B there. Players need to problem-solve during the game.”

Paul Heckingbottom on facing Southampton: “We certainly know and do not underestimate the team that we’re coming up against. I’ve just got a feeling, the way it’s been going, that the words people have been saying about them, they are going to prove everyone wrong, aren’t they?”

Predicted Lineups

Southampton (4-2-3-1): McCarthy; Roerslev, Wood, Edwards, Manning; Aribo, Jander; Scienza, Azaz, Fellows; Armstrong

Preston (3-5-2): Iversen; Storey, Gibson, Hughes; Offiah, Armstrong, Whiteman, Devine, Small; Jebbison, Dobbin

Predicted Scoreline

Another tough test for Will Still, with the pressure mounting even more. Southampton have gone unbeaten in the past four meetings of this fixture, dating back to 2011, and that record could well continue. This will likely be another game where Southampton dominate the ball – Preston sit 16th in the league for average possession – but the visitors’ style could pose a real threat. They average the third-most crosses per 90 minutes, something that will put constant pressure on Southampton’s centre-backs, who have struggled aerially against physical forwards and may find Daniel Jebbison a handful.

Southampton have only lost once at St Mary’s this season but have been held to three draws, often failing to break down compact defences that sit deep and absorb pressure. Preston’s ability to defend in numbers and counter with width could frustrate Still’s side once again. Expect the Saints to control large periods of play, but they could struggle, yet again, to turn that dominance into goals.