Southampton were an outside contender for the top six in the Premier League. However, since the turn of the year, the Saints have struggled to get victories and are winless in six straight matches. The Saints did claim a 1-1 draw on matchday 24 versus Chelsea, providing hope they can overturn their form.
On Tuesday night, Ralph Hassenhuttl’s team visit Leeds United seeking an end to their winless streak. Leeds United are on a two-game losing streak in the Premier League having lost to Arsenal and Wolverhampton Wanderers in back-to-back games.
Leeds United and Southampton have not met this season as the original fixture was postponed. Neither team are in form and both clubs need a win to move away from the bottom three.
The bottom three have suddenly come to life – sort of. Fulham are unbeaten in four straight games collecting eight points from 12 possible. The Cottagers are 10 points back from Leeds United and eight from Southampton.
Hassenhuttl will be buoyed by the form of January loan signing Takumi Minamino. He scored his second goal for the club against Chelsea last weekend in Southampton’s 1-1 draw. Minamino has scored the same number of goals (two) that his parent club Liverpool have bagged in February in the league.
The manager does have some injury issues going into the game. Stuart Armstrong could return to the team but is considered an option to play. Theo Walcott is ruled out with a muscle injury as is Kyle Walker-Peters.
William Smallbone and Michael Obafemi are both ruled out with long-term injuries. Ibrahima Diallo could make the squad but is struggling with a muscle strain.
Marcelo Bielsa has six players on his injury list. Gaetano Berardi is out with a knee injury. Striker Rodrigo is still out of action with a groin strain. Adam Forshaw, Ian Poveda-Ocampo, Kalvin Phillips, and Robin Koch are all ruled out. The good news is that centre-back Diego Llorente is back from injury.
Leeds United have taken 14 points from 33 possible at Elland Road. They have a zero-goal difference with 16 goals for and 16 against. The Saints have taken 13 points from 33 possible away from home. They are –10 in goal difference with 14 scored and 24 conceded.
Southampton have been poor on the road and lost three matches in a row away from home. The Saints should suffer a fourth straight away loss with Leeds United getting a narrow victory. The last three Southampton games in the league have finished with both teams scoring.
Four of the last six Leeds United games also ended with both teams finding the back of the net. That trend should continue along with over 2.5 goals scored as Leeds United get a home victory.