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Football News: Premier League Preview Southampton v Brighton 17 September 2018

Premier League Preview Southampton v Brighton 17 September 2018
Image from: freelargeimages.com

Southampton v Brighton and Hove Albion
Despite these two sides only winning one game each so far this season in the league, they will both actually be looking forward to this match.
The Saints earned their first league win of the season last time out against Crystal Palace (as well as beating Brighton in the League Cup), whilst Brighton followed up their superb win over Manchester United with a spirited display at Anfield that will not have dented their confidence and then a two-goal comeback against Fulham before the international break.
It is strange that midway through September, this is the second meeting between these sides already this season, but Southampton's win over Brighton last month will give them a belief that they can do so again here, this time at home. They have only lost one of their last eight games against the Seagulls in all competitions (and two of 16 going further back), with both Premier League meetings last season ending as draws.
The Seagulls need to sort out their away form. Winless in 15 away league games, losing the last four in a row on their travels, even if their trip to Liverpool was a better performance than many they have produced away from the Amex of late, and they have only scored five goals in those 15 matches. It's a shockingly poor record that, should it continue, may mean they struggle to avoid relegation again - it's not easy to maintain home form at Premier League level for any side, especially if you're not helped by poor away showings.
This is the Saints' first Premier League game on a Monday since January 2017. They are winless in their last 10 played on this day in the competition, with their last such win coming in December 2002 over West Ham when Gordon Strachan was their manager. How things have changed since then!
Key players:
Charlie Austin - Having already scored against Brighton in the Carabao Cup this season, Austin has scored seven goals against them in all competitions, more than against any other club. He is yet to score in the Premier League this season, but if he does begin to form a partnership with Danny Ings, Southampton could pose a real threat going forward that they have lacked in recent times.
Glenn Murray - With a brace in his last match against Fulham and three important goals already in 2018-19, Murray will be key for Brighton again if they are to score goals. His goal return does not seem to be dwindling with age; if anything there's an argument to say it's perhaps better than ever with how important his goals have been for the Seagulls, and Southampton will have to make sure he does not get a sniff inside their area.

Written by Reid the Red September 17 2018 10:04:25

 

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