Eng. Championship
2026-09-12 - Southampton vs Bristol City
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English Championship
Saturday 12th September 2026 - Kick Off 3pm
Southampton
They begun this season with a four point penalty after the controversy in the Play Offs having already been thrown out of the Final and not having a chance to return to the Premier League at the first attempt. Despite the future still being unclear in relation to manager Tonda Eckert, Southampton have begun this season in strong form and promotion remains the ambition in the months ahead.
Not only have they erased the points penalty, but Southampton have moved back up into 12th place in the Championship table and they are very much in touch with those clubs expected to be the main rivals for the promotion spots. The Saints have a perfect 3-0-0 record at St Mary's and they have scored 11 goals and conceded 3 in those matches.
Southampton had a long unbeaten run snapped when losing to Watford on the opening weekend and they have bounced back to put together a 5 game unbeaten run in the League since then. Since Tonda Eckert took over as manager, Southampton have been really good at home and have suffered a single League defeat at St Mary's, while The Saints have scored at least three times in each winning effort in the Championship this season.
Bristol City
The format of the League Cup Third Round needing to be played across two weeks has meant Bristol City had the League fixture against Lincoln City postponed until next week. In the late 1970s, Bristol City spent four years in a row in the top flight, but they were beaten in the Play Off Semi Final two years ago when bidding to return before another mid table finish last time around.
After his success managing the aforementioned Lincoln City, Michael Skubala was appointed by Bristol City and they have made an encouraging start under the new manager. The Robins have picked up 10 points from the opening League fixtures and they will travel to St Mary's with a 2-1-0 away record.
Bristol City failed to win any of the opening 3 games played in all competitions this season, which meant a single win in 8 going back to last season. However, they have turned that run around and Bristol City's upset at Turf Moor last weekend means they have won 3 in a row ahead of this fixture. Bristol City have scored at least twice in all 3 away Championship games this season.
Head to Head
Bristol City took four points from Southampton last season with the majority earned at Ashton Gate.
They did lead at St Mary's twice, but eventually settled for a 2-2 draw.
Southampton had won 2 home games in a row against Bristol City before that draw in April 2026.
Prediction
This should be an entertaining fixture played between two teams in very good early season form and who have looked very dangerous going forward.
St Mary's has proven to be a real fortress for Southampton since Tonda Eckert took over as manager, although Bristol City did leave here with a 2-2 draw in late April.
Michael Skubala has come in as the new manager and the Bristol City squad are clearly responding to him in a positive manner. The upset over Burnley last weekend will have given The Robins a lot of confidence, but Southampton have been very good at home with plenty of goals being scored.
It is no surprise the layers have lowered the price being offered on goals on Saturday and at least three are expected.
Despite the poor results against Bristol City last season, Southampton are expected to earn the majority of those goals and they can pick up another three points to continue motoring towards the top of the Championship and move past the four point penalty they had at the beginning of the campaign.
The Pick :
Southampton 2-1 Bristol City
