Swansea vs Southampton Prediction: Can the pupil outsmart the tutor?

There is an interesting reunion in store this Saturday afternoon (12:30) in the Championship as Swansea City host Southampton. Saints boss Russell Martin returns to his former club for the first time since leaving in the summer and he will be coming up against his former Swans assistant, Luke Williams, who is now in charge at the Swansea.com Stadium.

This is certainly a game to keep an eye on this weekend.

Match Odds

Swansea are 18/5 to end the Saints' gargantuan 20-game unbeaten run in the league, while the visitors are the short price of 4/6. A draw can be backed at 3/1.

Both teams to score is valued at 4/6 and over 2.5 goals is 8/13.

Team News

The hosts are going to be without midfielder Liam Walsh, who is still struggling with a calf issue. The Swans will assess Harrison Ashby ahead of the weekend, while Jerry Yates could be recalled to the starting XI.

Southampton are going to have to wait another week for the return of exciting winger Sam Edozie, while Joe Aribo is on Africa Cup of Nations duty with Nigeria.

Southampton and both teams to score @ 21/10

This is all set up to be an intense chess match with both coaches having similar philosophies, and Williams helped Martin implement his at Swansea a few years ago. Both sides will look to dominate the ball, so there will be plenty of work for the midfield battlers on either team to break up play when they are not in possession.

Given their professional relationship, Williams can cause Martin's men a few problems in South Wales because he more than anyone should know where his side's are most vulnerable. However, you cannot ignore Southampton's incredible unbeaten run, which has generated a lot of momentum for them in their quest to supplant Ipswich Town in the second automatic promotion spot.

The Swans will make life difficult for them here on Saturday, but we still fancy the Saints to come out of this scrape still unbeaten, and with another three points on the board.

Adam Armstrong to score anytime @ 13/10

Given how well things are going for Southampton at the moment, it's hard to remember how slow they started the season. Luckily for them they have had a consistent star throughout the campaign in Adam Armstrong, who has helped Martin out massively.

The striker has been one of the standout players in the second tier this term with 14 goals and 11 assists for the Saints. The attacker has really come into his own this year after struggling at St Mary's having joined them in the Premier League from Blackburn Rovers.

The jury is still out as to whether he would thrive in the top-flight now that he is in a system playing to his strengths at Southampton, but his pedigree at this level is exceptional and Swansea will know all about it.

Williams' defence will have to keep a watchful eye on him on Saturday because he is such a threat, and one that every club is finding difficult to keep quiet. We don't think Swansea will be an exception and believe he will extend his tally for the campaign in this one.

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