Southampton vs Sheffield Wednesday Match Preview: Will the Saints Grab their Second Win in a Row? | OneFootball

Southampton are back at St Mary’s this weekend, searching for their first win there since the opening day of the season. They’re set to host Sheffield Wednesday — a side whose only away win this season came against fellow South Coast side Portsmouth.

Current Form

Southampton

The Saints gained their first victory in midweek against a lacklustre QPR, finishing 2-1 with interim boss Tonda Eckert in charge. Before the German’s temporary appointment, the South Coast outfit hadn’t won in six, losing three in the process — a pivotal reason for Will Still’s departure last weekend.

Sheffield Wednesday

Sitting on minus five points, the Owls have succumbed to relegation, in hopes of a brighter long-term future. Aside from the former owner, Dephjon Chansiri, being forced into administration, they haven’t won since September. It’s a clear indication of their off-field issues bleeding onto the pitch.

Could Southampton Win Two in a Row?

Given Still’s record of two wins in 12, Eckert could pull off the remarkable by matching that in his first pair of games in charge. While luck was on his side in midweek, his management did lead to both of the goals. Allowing Scienza to drive from deep, alongside playing Robinson off the right, directly contributed to the Saints gaining their first two-goal lead in over a year.

Southampton will need to find a way to unlock a defence quickly. For the first time this season, the Saints averaged just 40% possession. If they were to defeat the Owls, they would have to control the game, both with and without the ball. And on Wednesday, they didn’t do that. Compressed in a low-block 5-4-1, Eckert’s men were lucky not to concede in the last 20 minutes — a period where the Saints had to weather the storm, and they were successful.

Could Southampton’s squad see them through?

Relying on key players, Scienza and Robinson, for example, won’t be sufficient for the Saints in the long term. This Saturday, however, they could prove critical once again.

Finding a way for Adam Armstrong to be clinical up top would be monumental as they aim to seize the table. He’s struggled to find his previous form in England’s second tier, but that shouldn’t deter him from the starting eleven. While they’re not as regular, Armstrong’s goals have him as the club’s top scorer, showcasing that he’s still in and around the box for the Saints. With no current alternative, he’s their main number nine and must be used as a poacher-like striker in behind—not a hold-up forward.

While there’s plenty of attacking potential, the defence remains a frailty. Goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu has been confirmed to maintain his role in the starting eleven, who was at fault for QPR’s goal, alongside the back three, too. Coming out to claim the ball, the Irishman mistimed it completely, allowing striker Burrell to take it around him and slot it home.

There’s no doubt that Southampton will concede if they start to sit back for too long. It’s going to require a performance of quality against Swansea, but with a goalscoring finish to seal the job.

Injuries & Suspensions

Southampton

Sheffield Wednesday

Predicted Lineups

Southampton (3-4-3): Bazunu; Harwood-Bellis, Wood, Stephens; Fellows, Downes, Jander, Manning; Robinson, Armstrong, Scienza

Sheffield Wednesday (3-5-2): Horvath; Palmer, Iorfa, M Lowe; Fusire, Valery, Bannan, Ingelsson, Amass; J Lowe, Cadamarteri

Manager Quotes

Southampton

Tonda Eckert on the importance of the St Mary’s crowd: “Our job is to make sure we get a connection with the fans, and we can do that by putting energy on the pitch. If we do that, then I am sure we will get what we need.”

Sheffield Wednesday

Pederson on how his side will perform: “I’m quite sure that our boys are ready to do all that they can and [go] all out for Saturday and to play a good game. We have been strong away.”

Predicted Scoreline

While the Owls have been poor, Southampton haven’t been significantly better. It won’t be an easy fixture, especially given that the pressure and atmosphere at St Mary’s is slowly turning for the worse. A signing like Oriol Romeu will have all the fans happy, but if there’s another poor performance on Saturday, the players will know about it.

Southampton halted their winless streak and are operating stronger than Wednesday at the moment. From scoring more goals per match to conceding less on average, too. The Saints’ wins have all come in 2-1 fashion, and I think that will be a similar story on Saturday.