Southampton seeking top four revival with win over Eagles

Southampton have lost ground in their attempts to secure a Champions League spot for next season, but will be aiming to bounce back with a victory over Crystal Palace at St Mary’s in midweek.

The Saints, 11/2 with Coral for a top four finish, have dropped to sixth place in the Premier League table after back-to-back defeats to West Bromwich Albion and fellow Champions League hopefuls Liverpool.

Ronald Koeman’s outfit, odds-on 8/11 favourites, have had a sensational season so far, having previously sat comfortably in a Champions League position for the majority of this current campaign.

However, after a series of recent poor results, hopes of securing a place among Europe’s elite next term have been dealt a massive blow, with Brendan Rodgers’ Reds and Arsenal having climbed above Southampton in the table.

Alan Pardew’s Eagles, 4/1 to win, will hope to capitalise on their opponents’ recent poor performances, as they knock on the door for a top 10 finish, and the Saints struggle having picked up just two wins in their last six league outings.

Palace looked to have secured their top-flight status for another season, having impressively climbed to 12th place, and a comfortable eight points clear of relegation danger.

Pardew’s high-flying Eagles toppled their south coast rivals in January’s FA Cup meeting at St Mary’s with a narrow 3-2 triumph, and are 11/1 to win this time out with both teams scoring.

Although, Koeman’s Saints have a dominant record over the Selhurst Park outfit, after securing victory in the two side’s last five league encounters, which includes their clashes in the Championship.

Toby Alderweireld could return for the hosts after recovering from a hamstring injury, with Jay Rodriguez and Emmanuel Mayuka the only long-term absentees.