Southampton vs Huddersfield Prediction: Armstrong to keep Saints Marching in

There's a full raft of Championship action this weekend and on Saturday afternoon (15:00), it's top of the table versus bottom, as 2nd placed Southampton take on a Huddersfield Town side struggling in 21st spot. We've asked our resident Yorkshireman Adam Roberts to preview this one for you and he's given you his best betting selections. 

What a phenomenal run of form Southampton are in right now - unbeaten in 21 games, with the last time they tasted defeat against Middlesbrough, way back on the 23rd September. Saints fans must look at the table and wonder how they remain 11 points behind runaway leaders Leicester City. Testament to what a job the Foxes are doing.

Nevertheless, Southampton are not remotely secure in the 2nd automatic promotion spot just yet, with a charging Leeds United and a floundering Ipswich Town still keenly hanging onto their coat-tails. With that in mind, anything other than three points on Saturday, in front of an expectant St. Mary's against a relegation-threatened Huddersfield Town would be an absolute disaster.

That said, Jon Worthington's side will be no easy pushover, as demonstrated in their fine 4-0 win over relegation and county rivals Sheffield Wednesday. Whereas the Town team under Darren Moore may have sat back at 1-0, this new Worthington-led side went for the jugular, smashing in four goals in 12 minutes of mayhem.

The Terriers will see this game as a free-hit. No one expects them to do anything other than turn up on the south coast, get their bottoms spanked and sent back up north like naughty schoolboys. Worthington & Co. will fear no-one and will try to stay with their attacking, front-foot approach.

It remains to be seen who the West Yorkshire club will bring in to take the reins from the current interim incumbent, but the ex-Huddersfield Academy player and current Academy manager will do his utmost for the club, whilst still in the adopted position. Whether it will be enough to take on a rampant Saints is another issue altogether.

Team news

Russell Martin is likely to stick with the same XI that beat Rotherham, as he has no new injury issues to worry about. Joe Aribo is still away with Nigeria at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Worthington has far greater injury issues, with new striker Rhys Healey added to an ever-growing unavailable list. Another already injured striker, Kian Harrett, will miss the next four months due to a betting-related suspension.

Jack Rudoni and David Kasumu have recovered from illness and should make the matchday squad, as should Yuta Nakayama, who has returned from the Asian Cup with Japan knocked out.

Match odds

It should come as no surprise to anyone that the form side in the division are huge 3/10 favourites to pick up another three points. Should you fancy the mother of all shocks, you can pick up Huddersfield at 10/1. The draw is more modestly priced at 9/2.

Goals look likely with over 2.5 at just 4/7, whilst both teams to score - no is a favourite at 8/11.

Southampton to win and Both teams to score - 15/8

This Saints side is on an absolute tear right now. They've won seven of their last eight, scoring 22 goals in the process, whilst conceding just three.

That doesn't make great reading for a Town side deep in the throes of a relegation battle but I don't expect them to back down. Jonathan Worthington has made it clear from the start that his side will try to win every game and continue to play attacking football.

That could be foolhardy against Martin's side and I expect Southampton to win this one with ease. However, I do think that Town will breach the Saints backline.

Adam Armstrong to score - 21/20

The 26-year-old started the season like a house on fire and has consistently scored in bunches. He has scored three in his last four in the Championship and Saturday should present a great opportunity to add to his tally of 15 thus far.

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