Mr Fixit’s English Football Tips: Saints go marching in

SOUTHAMPTON were written off as drop certs after losing 9-0 at home to Leicester – and I didn't think I'd be tipping them to win a couple of weeks later.

Saints' star could have retreated into their shells but after donating a week's wages to charity they've reacted positively.

In two trips to Man City they went down 2-1 and 3-1 then lost 2-1 to Everton before getting their reward last weekend with a 2-2 draw at Arsenal.

Ralph Hasenhuttl's side should have won after a sparkling display that saw them have 20 shots at the Emirates but they missed several chances before conceding an injury-time equaliser.

Now they face the only side below them and Watford arrive at St Mary's after a shocking 3-0 home defeat by Watford and with one win in 17 (against Norwich).

Saints look on the up and I'm backing them at 23-20 with Betway for a vital three points. I'd even consider Saints -1 at 3-1 with Paddy Power against an outfit who have lost four out of five.

That Leicester pounding is the only match in the last 10 they've failed to score and Danny Ings has netted in the last two. Ings is 7-4 at bet365 to score again.

At the other end of the table Man City head to Newcastle in the early game and should win at a ground where they've often struggled

Newcastle were well beaten at Aston Villa on Monday but we know they raise their game at home to the big guns. They beat City at home last season and their worst defeat in six meetings is 2-0. I like another 2-0 at 7-1 with bet365 or take City -1 on accas at 1-2.

Leaders Liverpool struggled against Napoli in midweek and need to find a high gear for the visit of Brighton.

Liverpool's last four wins in the Premier League have saw the opposition score and the Reds & btts at 2-1 with Betway.

Spurs have opened with two exciting victories under Jose Mourinho and should add a third at home to a Bournemouth side lacking goals and points.

Mourinho's first two games have produced 11 goals and I fancy Spurs and over 2.5 goals at 20-23 with Coral. Just to win Spurs are fine on accas at 4-11 with bet365.

Chelsea should ease to victory against a West Ham side without a win in eight. Frank Lampard's men ended their winning run at Man City but played well and are 4-5 at Coral to win by two or more.

There are four games tomorrow and Leicester look best bets at 7-10 with Marathonbet at home to crisis-hit Everton who are in the bottom four when fans reckon they should be near the top four.

Second-placed Leicester are on a run of nine win and Brendan Rodgers' side's next four matches are against sides in the bottom six – so the pressure could be raised on Liverpool who have a fixture pile-up in December.

The Foxes have won four out of five by more than two goals so this should be comfortable. Take them -1 at 7-4 with BetVictor and back Jamie Vardy – and I feel I say this every week – to score at 10-11 with bet365.

In the Championship I like Derby to make it five home wins in a row when off-form QPR visit. Mark Warburton's men have one point in 15 and the Rams look overpriced at 6-4 with Betfred.

five straight home victories (with clean sheets in their last four) isn’t to be sniffed at.

There are no League One games because of the FA Cup and it's a competition to be wary of at this stage. If they play their strongest teams Forest Green at home to Carlisle and Oxford at Walsall could be the best bets.

Recommended Bets

• Southampton (23-20, Betway)
• Liverpool & Btts (2-1, Betway)
• Spurs & over 2.5 goals (20-23, Coral)
• Leicester -1 (7-4, BetVictor) – Sunday
• Derby (6-4, Betfred)