Southampton aim to maintain impeccable home record against Hull

Southampton – Hull City

Date: Saturday 9th November

Venue: St Mary’s Stadium

K.O: 15.00

Southampton will look to continue their unbeaten run in a home match they will really fancy themselves in however Steve Bruce will hope to build on last weekend’s victory over Sunderland and his newly promoted side’s encouraging start to the season.

Team News:

Southampton

Pablo Osvaldo should recover from some nerve trouble in time for the match however Guly Do Prado is set to miss out a third consecutive match due to injury.

Hull City

While Alex Bruce is likely to be fit his dad will be unable to call upon Sone Aluko, James Chester and Alan McGregor who will all sit out at least another couple of weeks with a variety of injuries.

Recent Form:

Southampton have not lost since match day three and have gone seven league games unbeaten. Last time out they drew 1-1 away at Stoke, in part due to a goal from the opposition ‘keeper. However the run has seen them win their last three home games.

Hull won against nine man Sunderland last time out and have lost just two of their last five, to Everton and Spurs. However their only points on the road in their opening ten games came with a win over Newcastle.

Players to Watch

Southampton – Adam Lallana

The Saints skipper recieved an England call up for the upcoming double header November and it is easy to see why with his excellent recent form and the lack of quality English wide players.

Although goals are not the main part of his game Lallana has scored twice in ten outings with 60% of his shots on target and 20% resulting in a goal.

He has won over half of his attempted take ons, completed 75% of passes and created 17 chances in 10 matches. He also contributes to the high pressing game implemented by the club and has made nine interceptions.

Everything good that Southampton do in attack seems to come through Lallana at the moment and Hull will need to shut him down if they are to stop the Saints scoring.

Hull City – Tom Huddlestone

Huddlestone seems to be revelling in the massive amount of game time afforded to him after his move north from Tottenham Hotspur. He currently has a Performance Score of 186, the second highest at the club and is important in both defence and attack.

While he has made just one assist he is making over two key passes per game and has made 21 in total with a total pass completion of 77%.

He also wins 78% of tackles and 52% of headers.

Prediction

Despite Hull finding themselves happily in mid-table in their first season back in the division they will not come away with anything from this one.

Hull concede on average a goal a game while Southampton have only let in four. Saints also have an impeccable home record. Southampton will win this by a few goals.

Southampton 3-0 Hull City