Southampton v Brighton: match preview

The past two months have been much kinder to Southampton than to Brighton – 11 points out of 24 as opposed to the Seagulls’ six – helping Ralph Hasenhüttl’s side move clear of the relegation zone for now. Brighton, however, are sliding slowly down the table after their impressive start. No wins in nine matches tells its own story, although Neal Maupay’s excellent goal on Tuesday to earn a point at West Ham may put a bounce in their step, especially as it ended Brighton’s collective goalscoring drought of 335 minutes. With Tottenham, Wolves and Manchester United coming up for Graham Potter’s side, they may see this as their best chance for a few weeks of ending that win drought. Conrad Leach

Saturday 3pm

Venue St Mary’s Stadium

Last season Southampton 1 Brighton 2

Referee Anthony Taylor

This season G11 Y45 R2 4.27 cards/game

Odds H 11-8 A 23-10 D 12-5

SOUTHAMPTON

Subs from Lewis, Forster, Obafemi, Simeu, Valery, McQueen, Long, Tella, Walcott, Diallo, Perraud, Djenepo, Stephens

Doubtful Stephens (knee)

Injured Bednarek (calf, unknown), S Armstrong (calf, unknown)

Suspended None

Discipline Y24 R1

Form DWWLLD

Leading scorer Adams 3

BRIGHTON

Subs from Steele, Scherpen, Connolly, Mac Allister, Richards, Burn, Locadia, Mwepu

Doubtful None

Injured Welbeck (hamstring, 26 Dec), Alzate (ankle, Jan), Sarmiento (hamstring, unknown), Webster (calf, unknown), Lallana (hamstring, unknown)

Suspended None

Discipline Y34 R1

Form LDDLDD

Leading scorer Maupay 5