Premier League preview and odds: Southampton vs Middlesbrough

Published on: 11/12/2016

Premier League preview and odds: Southampton vs Middlesbrough

December 11, 2016 13:00pm - St. Mary`s Stadium

Referee: S. Atwell

Premier League

Faltering Southampton will look to put the brakes on their recent slide when they face an improving Middlesbrough side at St. Mary`s on Saturday. The visitors themselves are unbeaten in four on the road but are still just three points above the relegation places.

One win in six for Saints

A run of six matches featuring just a single victory has left Southampton languishing in 12th place in the Premier League table, just five points clear of the drop zone.

Despite their apparent dip in form, the Saints still have a decent record at home, having lost just once at St. Mary`s Stadium all season. That defeat came against league leaders Chelsea and was followed by a 0-0 draw against title contenders Liverpool. In their last home fixture they edged to a 1-0 win over Everton.

Meanwhile, opponents Middlesbrough have been steadily improving, having lost just one of their last six Premier League matches. That solitary defeat came on home soil against newly-established title favourites Chelsea (0-1).

Away from home Boro have drawn their last four in a row, in a sequence that included trips to Arsenal and Manchester City. In total, the newly-promoted side have won one, drawn five and lost just one of the seven away games they have played this all season. Aitor Karanka`s men come into this game on the back of a 1-0 home win over fellow newcomers Hull City.

Team news

Southampton attacker Jay Rodriguez is recovering from a knock and remains a doubt for this game, while Charlie Austin (shoulder), Alex McCarthy (hamstring), Matt Targett (hamstring) and Jeremy Pied (ACL) are all out of action.

Meanwhile, the visitors will hand late fitness tests to Alvaro Negredo, Jordan Rhodes and Gaston Ramirez, while George Friend will miss out with a knee injury.

Recent form (League):

Southampton: LWDLL

Middlesbrough: WDLDW

Betting odds and tips

Southampton have earned 12 of their 17 points at home, while Middlesbrough have picked up 8 of their 15 points on the road. The visitors are undefeated in their last 4 away matches, having drawn all of them.

You can back Boro to bag yet another draw at a best price of 14/5 with Bet365.

By Neil Morris

Published on: 11/12/2016

Any odds displayed within this preview were correct at the time of publishing (11/12/2016 11:30:44) but are subject to change.