Can the Saints keep the chance of direct promotion alive?

The 36th matchday is on the program in the English lower tier this week and yet the end of the season is not yet near. A total of 46 games will be played in the regular season before the first two promoted teams are decided. The battle for these two coveted places is shaping up to be an exciting four-way fight. The top three are already in action on Tuesday in this English week, with the fourth-placed team not taking to the field until Wednesday. In the match between Southampton and Preston, the betting tip on the home side is clearly favored and the best odds are not even at 1.50.

The Saints want to repair the “relegation accident” immediately, but need a good finish to do so. They are currently five points behind the direct promotion places. Southampton can no longer afford many slip-ups. The hosts will be the clear favorites on Wednesday, but the game will by no means be a walkover, as there is still a lot at stake for the visitors from Preston. Eighth in the table, play-off participation is within reach. In addition, recent results have given them a broad chest. Nevertheless, our predictions for the match between Southampton and Preston lean towards the favored hosts

The Preston defense has kept a clean sheet in the last two league games, but this is unlikely to be the case on Wednesday. Southampton have a powerful offense that is not stingy with goals. The game at St. Mary’s Stadium kicks off at 20:45 on Wednesday.

Southampton – stats & current form

The Saints are in fourth place after 35 matchdays, making them the worst relegated team. Last season’s three PL teams quickly became accustomed to the rough and tumble of the Championship. After four defeats in a row between matchdays five and eight, the Saints went on a real dream run. From September 23 to February 20, the team remained without defeat. This is impressive given the very busy schedule and the intense games in the Championship

The Saints guarantee goals

In the last few weeks, a little sand has been thrown into the gears again. Wins and defeats have alternated – four of the last seven games have been won, three times the Russel team have failed to score. The countless goals scored in games involving the Saints have been conspicuous of late. Over the season as a whole, the average is 3.26 goals per game (the second-highest average). In the last eight games, this figure has even risen to 4.13. The offense around top scorer Adam Armstrong (17 goals, eleven assists) has been convincing across the board, while the defense has lacked stability recently

As a result, a few goals can also be expected on Wednesday evening. We therefore not only see the odds for the over 2.5 in Southampton vs. Preston as very interesting, but an over 3.5 is also a good alternative. Last weekend, relegation candidates Birmingham were defeated 4:3 in the last second. Nigerian Joe Aribo scored the winning goal in the 96th minute.
The home side are not in outstanding form at the moment, but this late victory could have a liberating effect. In terms of quality, the difference to the visitors from Preston is enormous. A number of Saints players have already proven their PL qualities. A win is essential for the dream of a direct return.

Predicted Southampton line-up:

Preston – Statistics & current form

A brief history lesson is necessary with “The Lilywhites”. Very few people will know that the club made history, becoming the first English soccer champions in history in 1889. Preston was also the first team to win the double. The club played continuously in the country’s top two leagues until 1970, before being relegated to the fourth tier. The club has now played in the Championship without interruption for nine years and could reach the play-offs this season for the first time since 2008/09.

Despite a negative goal difference, promotion is still on the cards

With 20 points from the first eight league games, the season got off to a flying start. After that, however, things did not go according to plan and between matchday nine and 23 there were only three wins for head coach Ryan Lowe’s team. The crisis has been impressively shaken off in recent weeks and since the 2:1 defeat against Leeds United on January 23, the Lilies have gone seven games without defeat. The top six are therefore back within reach and only three points away.

What is interesting when looking at the goal difference is the fact that Preston have a negative goal difference despite their chances of promotion. 47 goals were scored in 35 games, which is a perfectly acceptable figure. However, 52 goals conceded is a major weakness, as only seven teams in the 24-team Championship have conceded more. Now they are up against one of the best attacking lines in the league, which is why these statistics for Southampton v Preston underline our prediction of many goals

Preston lineup prediction:

Southampton – Preston head-to-head comparison / H2H result

The first leg at the end of October is also the only relevant clash in the direct comparison between these two teams. Prior to this clash, the last time they met was in 2011/12 in the League Cup and 2008/09 in the league. These games are no yardstick for the clash on Wednesday evening

Southampton – Preston betting tip

Based on the recent results in the Championship, the odds for the underdog bet (for example the X2) appear very interesting for Southampton vs. Southampton have stumbled a little recently, while Preston are on a run of seven games without defeat. Nevertheless, we refrain from this assessment and agree with the general opinion of the bookmakers, who see the hosts as clear favorites.

Preston’s form is certainly impressive, but Southampton are a cut above the visitors in terms of quality. Martin Russell’s squad contains a number of PL-tested players who can make the difference with their individual quality. In addition, the offense is extremely dangerous, while the Preston defense is one of the weakest in the league. The home strength of the Saints rounds off our assessment, which is why we recommend five units for Southampton vs Preston when betting on the handicap win. Seven of Southampton’s eleven victories at St. Mary’s Stadium this season have been by at least a two-goal margin