With seven Premier League games remaining until the turn of the year and the season’s halfway stage, we take a look at how we think Southampton will fare up until the start of 2016.
Stoke (H), Nov 21
Both of these sides have been in-form in the last few weeks, but Saints are notoriously difficult to beat at St Mary’s.
We expect them to be too strong for the Potters after the international break, with the attacking trio of Graziano Pelle, Sadio Mane and Dusan Tadic already causing huge problems for opposition defences.
Shoot Says: Win
Man City (A), Nov 28
Ronald Koeman’s side then face a tough trip to face the current league leaders, Manchester City, who are renowned for their excellent home form.
As they already have done at Stamford Bridge and Anfield this term, we expect the south coast outfit to put up a good fight, but it might not be enough – especially with Sergio Aguero expected to return from injury for this one.
Shoot Says: Lose
The Southampton players celebrate Steven Davis’ equalising goal at Chelsea.
Aston Villa (H), Dec 5
Saints then host a lowly Aston Villa at St Mary’s, and it will be a very different match than it might have been a few weeks ago after the arrival of Remi Garde as their new manager.
However, we feel that Koeman’s team will have too much firepower for their goal-shy opponents and will pick up another three points as they look to build on their seventh-placed finish last term.
Shoot Says: Win
Crystal Palace (A), Dec 12
As their matches become more local during the busy Christmas period, Saints face four tough matches against teams from the capital.
They begin with a trip to face Alan Pardew’s Eagles, a fixtures that takes on further significance as he used to manage Southampton during their League One days. We see a share of the spoils at Selhurst Park.
Shoot Says: Draw
Tottenham (H), Dec 19
The trip to South London is followed by a match against another side that is managed by a former Saints boss – Tottenham.
With both teams showing good form in recent weeks, it is likely to be an entertaining clash on the south coast and, once again, we see Southampton taking a point.
Shoot Says: Draw
Sadio Mane has been impressive again for Southampton.
Arsenal (H), Dec 26
The busy Christmas period which brings two games in three days begins with the visit of Arsene Wenger’s Gunners to the south coast.
The North London outfit are real title contenders, but they haven’t picked up three points at St Mary’s since the Saints returned to the Premier League, and we don’t see that changing here.
Shoot Says: Draw
West Ham (A), Dec 28
The Saints are currently unbeaten on the road and notoriously hard to beat, and with Slaven Bilic’s side largely struggling at the Boleyn Ground so far this term, we can see another close encounter in East London.
In fact, three of the last five meeting between the sides have ended in draws, and we see this ending in another one in Ronald Koeman’s side’s last match of 2015.
Shoot Says: Draw
Points: 30
League position: 8th
