Southampton vs Ipswich Prediction: Another bleak night for the home fans

Southampton look all at sea whilst Ipswich are thoroughly enjoying life back in the Championship since earning promotion from League 1 last season.

With this game live behind the red button for Sky Sports subscribers, we take a look at the match and pick out a bet or two that might pique your interest plus a 14/1 Bet Builder treble…

Match Odds:

On the face of it, seeing Southampton as the 13/10 favourites is a bit of a surprise but that is what the market says. Ipswich are 2/1 to earn another win away from Portman Road with 5/2 the price for the draw.

Goals are very much expected and that can be no surprise considering what Southampton fans have witnessed in the past 180 minutes of football. They shipped in four on Friday night at home to Leicester (and it could have been a whole lot worse) and let in five at Sunderland. We are 8/13 for over 2.5 goals with 1/2 for BTTS.

Team News: 

It never rains but it pours when you are Southampton manager Russell Martin, who looks likely to be without Samuel Edozie and Kalmaldseen Sulemana following injury and a 97th minute red-card respectively. Jack Stephens, Luan Larios and Ross Stewart were already unavailable. Both Joe Sribo or Sekou Mara are vying for a spot in the starting XI.

As for Ipswich, only left-back Leif Davis looks to be added to the treatment table having been forced off during their 0-1 win at Hillsborough on Saturday. Manchester United loanee Brandon Williams is a natural replacement.

Bet 1 – Over 3.5 Goals @ 6/4

As mentioned in the odds section up above, Southampton’s defence has not exactly been up to snuff in recent games. I watched the game on Friday night and Leicester only scored the four but had they scored double that, it wouldn’t have been grossly unfair.

The Saints kept trying to play out from the back and Leicester repeatedly caught them in possession and were then running through on goal. Ipswich have already found the net 12 times in six games and I like them to score at least two or three. Southampton themselves do create chances so seeing them find the back of the net themselves would not be a shock. I like goals here so give me the over 3.5.

Bet 2 – Ipswich to win @ 2/1

Southampton have lost their previous two games 5-0 and 1-4. I don’t really have to say much else but the eye test shows just how poor they have been in addition to the actual statistics.

Ipswich have won five of their six games since returning to this division. Every reason to like the Tractor Boys to keep that run going and make it six from seven at St. Mary’s on Tuesday night.

Bet 3 (Bet Builder) – Over 3.5 Goals, Ipswich to Win & Over 11.5 Total Corners @ 14/1

As a bit of a Brucie Bonus, I’ve thrown in a Bet Builder which you can create yourselves via the #PickYourPunt feature on the market page. The one I’ve built includes the two previous bets in addition to adding over 11.5 total corners to the mix.

Southampton average more corner kicks than anyone in the division at 8.17 per match so far in this young season. Ipswich are very much middle of the pack at 5.00 but I’m expecting a relatively open game so I think it’s a worthwhile small play.