Southampton vs Sheff Weds Prediction: Can the Owls disrupt the Saints?

Southampton will be looking to close the gap on promotion rivals Ipswich Town when they host Sheffield Wednesday at St Mary's in the Championship on Saturday afternoon (15:00).

The Saints have been showing their credentials as automatic promotion contenders with their results in recent weeks. They have won 12 out of their last 18, drawing the other six. After a slow start under Russell Martin, they have been gradually getting up to speed with the tactician's methods, and they are a real threat to the Tractor Boys in second.

Sheffield Wednesday will not be an easy opponent, however. If you cast your mind back to the beginning of the season, the Owls hosted the Saints at Hillborough in the Championship curtain-raiser. Under previous boss Xisco Munoz, they were outclassed in every department. It was men against boys as Southampton won 2-1, despite having them having to dig deep for the late win.

They passed the ball around with ease, as is the way in Martin's philosophy, but it won't be as easy in the rematch. Wednesday, under new boss Danny Rohl, are a much more impressive outfit, having won six of their 15 fixtures he has overseen in the second tier. They are also the only six games they have won all season in the league.

There is no doubting that Southampton will be facing a very different side to the one they defeated back in August.

Match Odds

Southampton are the overwhelming favourites to win this one at 4/11, given the fact that they haven't lost a league game since September. A draw can be backed at 10/3, while the Owls are 6/1 to get their revenge on their opponents.

Both teams to score is valued at EVS, which is very generous given Wednesday's upturn in form. Over 2.5 goals can be found at 8/11.

Team News

The Saints are without the services of midfielder Joe Aribo, who is on African Cup of Nations duty with Argentina. Sam Edozie was unable to make the squad in the FA Cup win over Walsall last time out after getting subbed off against Norwich City on New Year's Day because of an issue. And he is once again a doubt to feature.

Kamaldeen Sulemana and James Bree are also expected to miss the visit of the Owls. Both players have been missing for several games and that is expected to continue this weekend. Summer signing Ross Stewart remains a long-term absentee as he recovers from a torn achilles.

The Owls will be hoping that Callum Paterson can return to the squad this weekend. Paterson has been suffering with concussion since the Boxing Day clash with Coventry City. Will Vaulks suffered a hamstring problem against Preston North End at the end of December, and it is hoped that he should be back in contention sooner rather than later.

Both teams to score (Yes) @ EVS

Yes, you've read that correctly. You can back both teams to score at EVS in this encounter. It isn't often that you get as good a price as that for this particular market on any game.

It feels like a touch of naivety based on the differing league positions of the two clubs (Southampton are third and Wednesday are 22nd). As mentioned above, Southampton are going to be facing a different Wednesday team to the one they schooled back in August, with Rohl implementing a similar front-foot approach into the Owls' play, which has given them a much stronger chance of staying up.

Wednesday failed to score in his first five league matches in charge but since then, they have scored in all but one of their fixtures. And in that run they not only scored against league leaders Leicester City, they took a point off them.

As a unit, Wednesday are growing in confidence and their players are getting goals more regularly. Josh Windass and Marvin Johnson have each scored two goals in their last two outings across all competitions.

The Owls can give Southampton as much of a game as they did against the Foxes, so we fancy both these teams to get on the scoresheet.

Adam Armstrong to score anytime @ 5/4

As much as Southampton have been brilliant as a collective this year, credit has to go to the players who have added the star quality. Adam Armstrong deserves plenty of praise as his 13 goals (second-highest scorer in the league) have been crucial in helping the Saints get into a strong position to contend for the second automatic promotion spot.

Of course this was expected of them given the advantage parachute payments give them over their rivals, but after their slow start, they have done well to steady themselves and build momentum. Armstrong has been one of the standout players in the second tier and he is starting to get the recognition he deserves at St Mary's, after a slow start to his Saints career.

We know from his time at Blackburn Rovers that he is a lethal marksman at this level and he should be able to get a few chances at goal against Wednesday, and with the form he is in, you'd back him to add to his tally.

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