English Premier
2025-03-08 - Liverpool vs Southampton
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English Premier League
Saturday 8th March 2025 - Kick Off 3pm
Liverpool
Only the most blinkered of fans would not consider Liverpool fortunate to avoid defeat in the French capital on Wednesday, never mind actually going on and scoring a late smash and grab winner. They have become strong favourites to beat Paris Saint-Germain in the Last 16 tie after that win at the Parc des Princes, but Arne Slot will also be aware that his team need to play a lot better to do so.
With that in mind, Liverpool's focus on the Premier League this weekend may not be as strong as it would usually be, especially with a 13 point lead over Arsenal. It will help The Reds that they are facing the bottom club and that they have a 10-2-1 record at Anfield in the Premier League, while the fans can provide the urgency to ensure the upset is avoided.
Liverpool have extended their unbeaten run to 6 games after somehow winning in Paris during the week and they have won 4 of their last 5 fixtures played in all competitions. The side have won 6 in a row at Anfield in all competitions since the 2-2 draw with Manchester United back in early January, while Liverpool have scored at least twice in 18 games in a row at home.
Joe Gomez and Conor Bradley are expected to miss out, while Cody Gakpo is a doubt. Rotations may be needed to keep players fit for the Champions League tie coming up on Tuesday.
Southampton
Any lingering hopes of finding a way to climb out of the bottom three look to have been dashed over the last couple of weeks. While Southampton have continued to lose games, Wolves have picked up some important points and the gap between The Saints and safety looks impossible to bridge.
They are bottom of the table with 9 points on the board, but Southampton are 13 points from safety and with a considerably inferior goal difference to manage. The fans are trying to stick behind the players, but the inevitability of a return to the Championship is not lost on anyone associated with the club and the preparation for next season has already begun behind the scenes. A 1-2-11 record away from home offers little hope for an upset this weekend.
Southampton have won 1 of their last 8 games in all competitions, but have been beaten in the other 7 including the last 4 in a row. They were crushed 4-0 at Stamford Bridge in their last away Premier League game and Southampton have lost 4 of their last 5 on their travels with the exception being the win at Ipswich Town.
The likes of Jan Bednarek and Kyle Walker-Peters should have had the time needed to recover from knocks and play a part this weekend. A host of other players are edging towards returns too as Southampton continue to chase the 3 points needed to avoid finishing with the lowest tally in Premier League history.
Head to Head
Southampton pushed Liverpool when the teams met at St Mary's, but Mo Salah was the difference again in a 2-3 win for the away team.
The Reds have also won a League Cup tie at St Mary's this season on their run to the Final of that competition.
Liverpool have won 7 in a row at Anfield against this opponent.
Prediction
If this fixture was being played with several days of rest before and after, Liverpool would be considered bankers to win.
They should still have far too much quality for a struggling Southampton team, but the Champions League Last 16 tie against Paris Saint-Germain is a major distraction. They may have won in Paris, but Liverpool were dominated and Arne Slot is well aware that there is another big test coming up when hosting the French Champions at Anfield on Tuesday.
With a 13 point lead over Arsenal at the summit of the Premier League, it would be a big surprise if Slot does not rotate his team and that may give Southampton an opportunity.
In saying that, Liverpool should still have the depth and quality to get the better of the bottom club and one that has looked considerably weaker than the other nineteen Premier League clubs.
Southampton are well rested and the squad could be bolstered by a number of returning players.
However, they have continued to concede goals at an alarming rate and that is going to put Southampton under considerable pressure throughout this fixture.
Even if Liverpool make some changes, you have to feel that those players coming in should still offer them enough to secure a relatively comfortable victory. Attacking players can make their mark and Liverpool could be in a strong position before others are taken off, which gives the home team the advantage in this fixture.
Like it has been mentioned, the Champions League is a major ambition for Liverpool now the Premier League is virtually wrapped up and that Second Leg against Paris Saint-Germain is the focus. It may lead to a late lapse in concentration, but the feeling is that Liverpool will have complete control of this League fixture by then and can secure an 'easy' three points when all is said and done.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Liverpool 4-1 Southampton
