Southampton v Huddersfield: Saints to sign off with comfortable victory

Jack Lang
11 May 2019

Ralph Hasenhüttl has done a fine job at Southampton

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Jack Lang isn't expecting the relegated Terriers to test their hosts on Sunday afternoon...

"Southampton have been fairly strong at St Mary's over the last couple of months: they lost to Liverpool, but have beaten Fulham, Tottenham and Wolves, all of whom are far better sides than Huddersfield"

Southampton v Huddersfield Town
Sunday, 15:00

Saints aiming to end on a high

After flirting with relegation for much of the season, Southampton will be delighted to be going into the final game of the campaign with their Premier League status secured. This could easily have been a tense, must-win game; instead, it is likely to a happy farewell, with plenty of reason to be hopeful that 2019/20 will bring better things.

That air of positivity is largely down to one man. Ralph Hasenhüttl shifted Southampton's fortunes after his appointment in December, turning a disjointed mess of a squad into a coherent, versatile team. The defence is still a bit shaky - witness the 3-0 capitulation at West Ham last week - but the midfield has clicked nicely and the attack has looked slick, with Nathan Redmond and Shane Long both coming out of their shells over the last few months.

Since Hasenhüttl's arrival, Saints have taken an average of 1.32 points per game in the league; extrapolate that over 38 games and they'd be finishing on 50 points, comfortably in midtable. More of the same next season, and they will have a good platform from which to build.

Farewell to tepid Terriers

There is no such consolation for Huddersfield, who have spent the campaign chained to the foot of the table, desperately trying to avoid the ignominy of the lowest ever Premier League points total. They have managed that, but not much else, and it would be a feat of generosity to say they'll leave us with any great memories from a slow trudge of a season.

Can they at least sign off with a flourish? There were encouraging signs against Manchester United last week (1-1), perhaps because a few players realise they are playing for their futures - either in the Championship or elsewhere. But their away form has been appalling (one point from the last 39 available) and Jan Siewart - whose job may be under threat already - won't be holding out too much hope, one suspects.

Hosts should sign off with a win

Southampton have been fairly strong at St Mary's over the last couple of months: they lost to Liverpool, but have beaten Fulham, Tottenham and Wolves, all of whom are far better sides than Huddersfield. Little wonder that they are 1.434/9 favourites.

Siewart has called this "a final" in an attempt to get his players motivated, but we like the home side's chances of finishing with a flourish, with their attackers more than capable of racking up a few goals. Southampton -1.5 holds some appeal at 2.166/5 given the circumstances of the game.

Another Long shot

Shane Long has scored in each of his last three Premier League home games. The last player to score in four consecutively at St Mary's for Saints was James Beattie in April 2003, and Long looks a decent punt at 2.186/5 to match that.

Jack Lang's Premier League P/L, 2018/19

Staked: 34pts
Returned: 29.4pts
P/L: -4.6pts

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