Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson has revealed his latest set of Premier League predictions for this weekend’s fixtures, and he believes that Southampton will fall to their fourth top flight defeat of the season when they face Brighton and Hove Albion at the Amex Stadium on Sunday.
It has certainly been a mixed start to the campaign for the Saints, and while they have picked up wins against West Ham United, Crystal Palace and West Bromwich Albion last time out, they also would have been disappointed to lose against Stoke City and Watford, as well as drawing at home to Swansea City and Newcastle United.
Goals have once again been at a premium for the south coast outfit this term, and they have found the net just eight times in their 10 matches in all competitions – a record that must improve if they are to stay away from the relegation zone.
Mauricio Pellegrino will be hoping that the brilliant solo goal from Sofiane Boufal and 1-0 success against the Baggies at St Mary’s last Saturday can prove to be a turning point in their campaign, but it certainly won’t be an easy task against Brighton.
The Seagulls are just two places and one point behind 10th-placed Southampton in the Premier League standings, and they also picked up their third win of the season last weekend as they beat West Ham 3-0 at the London Stadium.
With their other two wins coming at home against Newcastle and West Brom, Merson is tipping them to add to that tally on Sunday afternoon.
The 49-year-old said: “I’m going for Brighton. They are doing OK this season and Southampton don’t blow teams away.
“You are always in the game against them because they don’t score many and Brighton will be full of confidence after that 3-0 win at West Ham.
“It should be close but I’m edging for the home side.”
Southampton have netted just twice on the road this season, and they will need to improve on that record if they want to take all three points against Brighton this weekend.
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