Southampton are on a great run of form in the Premier League and head into the weekend unbeaten in their last five games in the division.
The same cannot be said about Wolverhampton Wanderers. Nuno Espirito Santo’s team is winless in its last five matches in all competitions. Wolverhampton Wanderers lost in midweek against Manchester United 1-0 in an FA Cup third round replay.
The loss could benefit Wolves in the long run as they look incredibly tired on the pitch. Wolverhampton Wanderers will be without forward Diogo Jota once more due to a hamstring injury. His absence limits the options Santo has in attack.
Wolves sold back-up striker Patrick Cutrone to Fiorentina after just six months at the Molineaux. That leaves Raul Jimenez, Adama Traore, and Pedro Neto as Santo’s attacking options.
Wolverhampton Wanderers have already played 38 matches in all competitions this season, the most of any team. That is the equivalent of a full Premier League season.
Southampton are seven points clear of the relegation places. The Saints have turned their season around and could move further into midtable safety. Striker Danny Ings has been excellent for Saints tallying 14 goals. It is a career high for the marksman in the Premier League.
Manager Ralph Hassenhuttl’s team is third in the Premier League form table having collected 13 of 18 points possible over the course of their last six games. Only Liverpool and Manchester City have done better.
Defensively, Southampton have improved greatly and only conceded four times in their last six fixtures in the league. Saturday’s game at St. Mary’s should be a low-scoring affair when Wolverhampton Wanderers arrive.
While Southampton have tightened up defensively, Wolverhampton Wanderers are not scoring a lot of goals currently. Wolverhampton Wanderers have scored eight times and conceded nine goals in thier last six league fixtures.
Hassenhuttl has just one injury problem at St. Mary’s and that is to forward Yan Valery. He will sit out the game on Saturday with a viral infection.
Wolverhampton Wanderers are unbeaten in two of their last three games against Southampton in the Premier League. Earlier this season, the two sides drew 1-1 at Molineaux. The Saints did win 3-1 at St. Mary’s last season.
However, with both teams evenly matched, Saturday’s game should end in another stalemate. Wolverhampton Wanderers have been brilliant with scoring late goals to snatch draws from the jaws of defeat.
Wolverhampton Wanderers have scored 30 goals after the 60-minute mark in league matches. Expect a score draw when these sides meet on Saturday.