Big Match Breakdown: Southampton v Brighton

Odds, tips and preview for Premier League clash

Monday Night Football serves up a southern treat tonight as Southampton host Brighton & Hove Albion.

Both sides have picked up four points in league action so far, with Southampton sitting 13th, just ahead of Brighton on goal difference. A win for either side would see them climb into the top-half.

You can catch the game on Sky Sports Football at 8:00pm. Here’s all the key pre-match info from the Coral News Team…

Head-to-Head

These teams have already met this season in the Carabao Cup. A late Charlie Austin goal secured a 1-0 win for Saints, though both teams were heavily rotated.

The two league meetings last term both finished 1-1, with Glenn Murray netting for Brighton in both.

Likely XIs

If Austin can shake off a knock, he’s likely to start up front alongside Danny Ings for the home side. Other than that, Mark Hughes won’t want to change too much from the side that beat Crystal Palace 2-0 last time out.

Brighton boss Chris Hughton will hope Pascal Gross passes a fitness test on an ankle injury. The playmaker will line up in the hole behind Murray if he does.

Anthony Knockaert’s early-season form means club-record signing Alireza Jahanbakhsh will have to wait for his first Premier League start.

Key Battles

Danny Ings has made an impressive start to his time at St Mary’s with two goals already. He looks ready to make up for lost time after so long without regular playing time.