SOUTHAMPTON and Brighton square off in a south-coast showdown at St Mary's on Sunday lunchtime.
Last weekend, the Saints finally stopped the rot when recording a morale-boosting 2-0 win over Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.
However, Ralph Hasenhuttl's side have since suffered a brutal reality check after being ruthlessly cut apart by champions-elect Manchester City in midweek.
That means Southampton have won just one of their last 11 Premier League matches but their early-season form has seen them keep their head above water and stave off the threat of relegation in the process.
Brighton, meanwhile, continue to impress with their possession-based style of play, however, the Seagulls are perched precariously above the relegation zone now that fast-improving Fulham have found some form.
Last time out, Graham Potter's side slumped to a 2-1 defeat at home to Leicester, on a night where my recommended Bet Builder landed.
Outright Betting
Southampton have avoided defeat in each of their last eight matches with Brighton but the Saints are slight outsiders here at 2/1 with William Hill.
Brighton have drawn 11 of their last 23 Premier League matches and repeat here is trading at 2/1 with TonyBet and an Albion win can be backed at 8/5 with BetVictor.
Betting Angles
My recommended Bet Builder landed in the reverse fixture and I'm going to side with a similar formula at St Mary's on Sunday.
The 11/10 (Bet 365) combination that I like the look of here is over one match goal and each team to receive over zero cards.
Southampton have the second-worst defensive record in the division this season, while Brighton have failed to bag a clan sheet in five of their last six matches across all competitions.
What's more, seven of the Saints last eight league matches have produced two or more goals and over 1.5 goals has trapped in eight of Brighton's 13 Premier League road trips this term.
With that in mind, I'm happy to side with over one match goal here, but in order to nudge the price up to 11/10 (Bet 365), I'll also back each team to collect over one card in what should be a closely-fought contest.
Both sides are averaging in the region 1.4 cards per game this season and given that card-happy Stuart Attwell (4.19 average card per game) will take charge of this dust-up, a card apiece doesn't look like too much to ask for.
It's also worth noting that the Nuneaton-born whistler has shown each team a card in all but two of the 16 top-flight tussles that he has taken charge of this term to date.
I'll also take the even-money (1/1) on offer with Tonybet for both teams to get on the scoreboard at St Mary's on Sunday.
Both teams have obliged in 15/27 Brighton Premier League matches this season- the second-highest tally in the top-flight – and it's a bet that would banked profit in each of the last three meetings at this venue.
This English Premier League match between Southampton and Brighton will be played on Mar 14, 2021 and kick off at 12:00. Check below for our tipsters best Southampton vs Brighton prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
