The Saints travel to the John Smith's Stadium this weekend, where they will look to defeat Huddersfield. Southampton are unbeaten in the last five meetings between the two sides and will be confident that they can extend that run.
Huddersfield
We are 16 games into the 2023/24 Championship campaign, and the Terriers are placed in 21st on 15 points. Getting over the line in even a couple of their six draws would obviously put them in a much better position in the table, with a lack of goals in attack holding the side back. Huddersfield net the third lowest average per game, 0.88, while failing to score in 50% of their home matches. Darren Moore's team has also conceded the third most in the league, 28, but in the grand scheme of things, they can be a difficult unit to breach at times, and conceding four goals on four occasions has boosted the average.
Last time out, Huddersfield were minutes away from collecting a point away to Hull, yet they unfortunately suffered a 1-0 defeat. In all honesty, the visitors offered almost nothing in attack, and heroic defending combined with a slice of luck kept them in the tie. It was an unconvincing performance, and the hosts deserved the win.
Southampton
The Saints seem to finally be starting to click under Russell Martin and the results portray the development. After 16 matches, Southampton sit in fourth place on 30 points, winning nine matches and losing four, which all occurred consecutively in September. Since then, Southampton have won six of their last eight, drawing the other two. They score the joint fourth most goals per game on average, 1.69, while conceding the most of all the relegated sides, 1.63. They also have the third-best away record in the Championship.
Southampton won their third consecutive game last time out, beating West Brom 2-1 at St. Mary's. Will Smallbone gave the hosts the lead within five minutes, and it was just after the hour mark when the equaliser was scored. Adam Armstrong scored his ninth of the season just before the 80th minute, however the Saints were extremely vulnerable at the back throughout.
Verdict?
Huddersfield have won one of their last ten matches, and Southampton are in great form, with the morale in both camps completely opposite. Momentum and quality should give the visitors the victory this weekend, but the Terriers will get chances on the break if they show bravery in possession.
The final prediction is Huddersfield 1-2 Southampton.
