Southampton v Brighton: Premier League betting preview, free tip & TV details

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Southampton v Brighton in the Premier League on Thursday.

Where to watch

BT Sport 2, 8.15pm Thursday

Best bet

Southampton
2pts 6-5 general

Team news

Southampton
Sofiane Boufal, Yan Valery and Moussa Djenepo are all expected to miss out.

Brighton
Jose Izquierdo and Steven Alzate are out injured. Tariq Lamptey and Neal Maupay, who were rested against Manchester City, should be recalled to the starting line-up.

Match preview

Southampton are finishing the season far stronger than they started it and they can highlight their improvements under Ralph Hasenhuttl with victory over Brighton.

The Saints have lost only one of their six matches since the Premier League returned - a 2-0 defeat to Arsenal - and Monday’s 2-2 draw at a rejuvenated Manchester United was further evidence that they are a team on the up under the guidance of their tactically astute coach.

A sluggish start to the campaign put paid to Southampton’s top-half aspirations but they are far more capable than their league position implies and they were well worth their point at Old Trafford, having tasted more possession and shaded the shot count.

Southampton’s high press was extremely effective and the way in which they utilise their full-backs - Ryan Bertrand and Kyle Walker-Peters - offers an extra dimension to their attack, providing excellent service for 19-goal striker Danny Ings.

Only relegated Norwich have picked up fewer points at home than Southampton this season but a 1-0 win over Manchester City in their last St Mary’s assignment suggests there is little reason to worry.

The Seagulls haven’t had an easy run of fixtures to contend with but they offered little resistance in home defeats to Manchester United (3-0) and Manchester City (5-0) and they have managed only three wins in their 17 away matches this term.

With blanks fired in five of their last eight league matches, Brighton lack the cutting edge of a superior Southampton side.

Key stat

Southampton are unbeaten in seven meetings with Brighton and were 2-0 winners in the reverse fixture this season.

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