Southampton are looking to continue their impressive form as they face League One side Walsall in the FA Cup this weekend.
Southampton are going very strong in the Championship this season as they look to earn an immediate promotion back to the Premier League following relegation last time out.
They’re currently 3rd in the league table and come into this one in very good form, unbeaten in their last eighteen games having won four of their last five.
Their most recent game saw them held to a 1-1 draw away at Norwich City, with Adam Armstrong’s 70th opener cancelled out by the Canaries just eight minutes later.
Russell Martin’s side started the season strongly but were then hit with a brief wobble in form, but they quickly resumed normal service and have since looked impervious, with their sights now firmly set on the automatic promotion places.
Last season, Southampton were the subject of one of the biggest shocks of last season’s edition of the FA Cup as they were beaten 1-2 at home to Grimsby Town.
They’ve generally been solid in this competition, with the South Coast side having won nine of their last twelve games in the FA Cup.
Their home form has been extremely strong this season as they come into this game unbeaten in their last nine games on home soil, winning eight of those, so they should feel well-equipped to avoid a shock here.
Walsall are having a pretty middling campaign in League Two as they come into this FA Cup tie 13th in the league table.
The Saddlers weren’t expected to mount a serious promotion push this season but one or two might be revising those predictions given they’re coming into this game in very good form having won six of their last seven games in all competitions.
Their most recent game saw them claim a thumping 6-1 win away Grimsby Town.
The win was a huge one for Walsall and it followed a 3-1 win over promotion favourites Wrexham, meaning Walsall could not be entering this game in better shape.
Their form away from home has been a bit of an issue, with the Saddlers having won only two of their last five away from home. However, considering those two wins came in their last three away games they’ll likely believe they’ve turned a corner in that regard.
This would be a big surprise if Walsall were to pull it off and considering Southampton are overwhelmingly likely to rest players amidst their promotion push in the Championship, this one seems like one of the more realistic contenders for an FA Cup shock.
For our Southampton vs. Walsall prediction, we’re going for a 2-1 win for the home side.
Don’t forget to check out the rest of our previews, tips and offers for this weekend’s action.