Southampton vs Brighton Predictions

• Both teams have scored in eight of Southampton’s nine home games.
• Brighton have just one Premier League clean sheet since Roberto de Zerbi took charge.
• The last two meetings between these sides have ended in draws.

Brighton test for Saints boss Jones

Southampton’s new boss Nathan Jones faces a big test on Boxing Day as Brighton visit St Mary’s for a south coast derby.

Albion’s own new-ish manager Roberto de Zerbi has settled in well to life in England but they did suffer a disappointing defeat to Aston Villa at home in their last league outing, ending a run of three straight wins across all competitions.

Jones claimed his first win as Saints boss on Tuesday in a 2-1 EFL Cup success against Lincoln, but it remains to be seen as to whether or not he can help them climb the table.

Goals a good starting point in tricky fixture

Jones’ first two games have been a league defeat to Liverpool and a cup win over the Imps so it is unclear if Southampton will benefit from any kind of ‘new boss bounce’. Brighton have been good under De Zebri, who was appointed in December, but as this is a derby and the league is just resuming after the World Cup it is hard to go for a result with any real confidence.

One market that does stand out is both teams to score, as goals at both ends have featured regularly in both of these sides’ games of late.

The Seagulls have just one clean sheet in nine games since their Italian manager took charge, with both teams scoring in six of those. Both teams have scored in Southampton’s last four and in eight of their nine home fixtures across all competitions, and they are yet to keep a clean sheet at St Mary’s. There have also been goals at both ends in each of the last five meetings between these two teams – so both teams to score really jumps out as our main bet.

Spoils could be shared at St Mary’s

Southampton may be struggling in 19th spot but they have been tough to beat at home lately and have just one defeat in their last five at St Mary’s.

Brighton have 10 points to show from seven trips so far andthis could be a close game. Three of the last five meetings have finished honours even, and the other two have been decided by a single goal, so a draw could well be on the cards and 2-2 appeals – given both sides were struggling at the back prior to the World Cup.

Brighton’s Leandro Trossard looks a reasonable anytime scorer option ahead of this Boxing Day game. Trossard finished up with two goals and an assist in his final four games before linking up with Belgium for the tournament in Qatar, and he should be fresh for the resumption of the domestic action after his nation’s early World Cup exit.