Southampton vs Liverpool 3/16/2013

The home side are in desperate need of points – can they get it against one of the form teams in the league?
Southampton have been a mixed bag under Mauricio Pochettino, having only won once but having put in very consistent, capable performances under the Argentine. They have lost four of their last ten, but have also drawn four of the last ten, leaving the South Coast outfit on 28 points, 4 points clear of the relegation zone, but Wigan Athletic could cut that to a point with a win in their game in hand.

They are the best attacking side of the newly promoted clubs, being the 12th best attacking side in the league, averaging 1.34 goals a game. On the flipside though, they are 17th in the defensive stakes, averaging 1.76 goals a game, so the Saints must shore up if they are going to stop the power of the Anfield club.

Southampton have a potent forward in big Rickie Lambert, who has 12 Premier League goals, he also has 8 assists in the Premier League, making him one of the most potent forwards in the whole division. The other Southampton forwards, like Gaston Ramirez and Jay Rodriguez, have also weighed in with assists, with 6 each, while homegrown hero Adam Lallana has 5 assists. Morgan Schneiderlin is their most used player alongside Lambert, with the young Frenchman showing he has enough quality to play in the division.

Liverpool, on the outset is transformed in recent weeks. In their first season under Brendan Rodgers, the Reds are beginning to play some fantastic stuff, and have won their last four games. Liverpool sit 6th in the table at present, 7 points off a Champions League place – a pipe dream a few months ago.

They are beginning to score a lot of goals, being the 3rd highest goal scorers in the league scoring 1.93 goals a game, where as they have the 6th best defence, conceding 1.24 goals a game. Rodgers has used his man management abilities to turn in performances from flops Stewart Downing and Jordan Henderson this calendar year, the duo have become key figures in Rodgers side.

However, the key players are Luis Suarez and Steven Gerrard. The dynamic duo have been fantastic in this year’s Premier League, with Suarez three goals ahead of Van Persie on 22 goals, where as Steven Gerrard – the club captain- has more assists in the league than any midfielder, where as he has made more appearances than anyone in the squad, too, Gerrard also ranks third in the league for passes, along with Daniel Agger being the highest passing defender in the division.

Southampton vs Liverpool Prediction

Who to win? I am backing Liverpool to win. They have been in good form recently and look capable of continuing this run of form, with a decent squad to choose from, they could beat a shaky and unpredictable Southampton team, even if they make changes.

Free English Premier League Pick: Liverpool