Fixture: Southampton vs Brighton
Date: 22-Feb-25
Kick-off: 15:00
Venue: St. Mary's Stadium, Southampton
Form Guide and Team Overview
Southampton have been struggling to find form, languishing at the bottom of the table with a string of disappointing results. Their recent 1-3 home defeat to Bournemouth highlighted defensive frailties and a lack of cutting edge in attack.
Southampton last 5 EPL matches
- Southampton 1-3 Bournemouth
- Ipswich 1-2 Southampton
- Southampton 1-3 Newcastle
- Nott'm Forest 3-2 Southampton
- Man Utd 3-1 Southampton
Southampton's key strength lies in their midfield dynamism, but defensive lapses remain a significant weakness. Brighton boast a potent attack, spearheaded by Danny Welbeck, but their defence can be vulnerable under pressure.
Brighton last 5 EPL matches
- Brighton 3-0 Chelsea
- Nott'm Forest 0-7 Brighton
- Brighton 0-1 Everton
- Man Utd 1-3 Brighton
- Ipswich 0-2 Brighton
Brighton, on the other hand, have shown glimpses of their potential, with a notable 3-0 victory over Chelsea. However, inconsistency has plagued their campaign, as evidenced by a heavy 0-7 loss to Nott'm Forest.
Head-to-Head Record
The last five encounters between these two sides have been closely contested, with Brighton slightly edging the recent meetings.
- Brighton 1-1 Southampton (Nov 2024)
- Brighton 3-1 Southampton (May 2023)
- Southampton 1-3 Brighton (Dec 2022)
- Brighton 2-2 Southampton (Apr 2022)
- Southampton 1-1 Brighton (Dec 2021)
Brighton have been unbeaten in their last three visits to St. Mary's, a trend they will look to continue.
Injury and Suspension Report
Southampton are missing several key players, including Taylor Harwood-Bellis (ankle) and Adam Lallana (hamstring), which could impact their defensive solidity and creativity in midfield.
Brighton have a lengthy injury list, with Lewis Dunk (knock) and Solly March (muscle) among the absentees, potentially affecting their defensive organisation and width in attack.
Predicted Lineups and Tactical Setup
Southampton (3-4-1-2): Ramsdale; Bednarek, Bree, Wood; Walker-Peters, Ugochukwu, Smallbone, Manning; Aribo; Onuachu, Sulemana.
Brighton (4-2-3-1): Verbruggen; Veltman, Van Hecke, Webster, Lamptey; Hinshelwood, Baleba; Minteh, Mitoma, Welbeck, Pedro.
Southampton will likely focus on a compact midfield to disrupt Brighton's rhythm, while Brighton will aim to exploit the flanks and utilise their pace in attack.
Key Battles and Players to Watch
- Jan Bednarek vs Danny Welbeck: Bednarek will need to marshal the defence effectively to contain Welbeck's movement and finishing ability.
- Mateus Fernandes vs Moisés Caicedo: A midfield battle that could dictate the tempo of the game, with Fernandes' tackling prowess against Caicedo's distribution.
- Kamaldeen Sulemana vs Joël Veltman: Sulemana's pace and trickery could pose problems for Veltman, who will need to be alert defensively.
What to Expect and Match Prediction
Expect a closely fought encounter with Brighton likely to dominate possession, while Southampton will look to hit on the counter. The game could be cagey, with both sides aware of the other's attacking threats.
Prediction: Southampton 1-2 Brighton
Fun Fact and Trivia
Brighton's Danny Welbeck has scored in each of his last three appearances against Southampton, making him a player to watch in this fixture.
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