Verdict: Southampton win
Best Odds: 8/13
Bookmaker: Luckster
Looking to take another giant leap towards punching a play-off ticket, Southampton will welcome Blackburn to St. Mary’s on Tuesday night.
Southampton
Starting with the hosts, while there might have been plenty of raised eyebrows back in December as Tonda Eckert arrived at St. Mary’s, Southampton have embarked on a sensational run under the German tactician. Storming their way to an iconic FA Cup semi-final ticket earlier in the month as they claimed a 2-1 victory at home against Premier League leaders Arsenal, the Saints have also shattered a string of records. Last seen over the weekend claiming another 2-1 win against Derby, Eckert’s high-flying squad have come skyrocketing up the Championship standings. Remarkably knowing that they can move within touching distance of the automatic promotion spots on Tuesday night, Southampton suddenly have their sights set on booking an immediate Premier League return over the coming weeks.
Southampton Team News
Still sidelined with a long-term Achilles tendon injury, Southampton will once again be without former Brentford defender Mads Roerslev on Tuesday night. However, aside from the Danish defender, Eckert’s side have reported a clean bill of health.
Finding the net in two of his previous three Championship appearances, Scotland international Ross Stewart should keep his spot leading the line. Bagging the winner against Derby on Saturday afternoon, former Manchester City academy star Taylor Harwood-Bellis will start at the heart of Southampton’s defence.
Blackburn Rovers
As for the visitors, while Blackburn might have shown some signs of resolve on either side of March’s international break, the Rovers are still looking over their shoulder at a looming relegation scrap. Throwing away the lead on Saturday afternoon as they eventually had to settle for a 1-1 stalemate away at Stoke, Michael O’Neill’s side will be bracing themselves for a stern examination when they travel to St. Mary’s in midweek. Despite their recent success away from Ewood Park, Blackburn have registered just a pair of wins from any of their previous nine Championship appearances – a run that stems back to February 20th. Likewise, O’Neill’s men also slumped to a 4-0 drumming when they last travelled to St. Mary’s back in December 2023.
Blackburn Rovers Team News
Dealing with what has been a stacked injury list in Lancashire, Blackburn will travel to St. Mary’s on Tuesday night without the likes of Lewis Miller, Sondre Tronstad, Hayden Carter and Iceland international Andri Gudjohnsen.
Making his Blackburn debut on Saturday afternoon after arriving this month on a free transfer, former Southampton attacker Nathan Redmond will be hoping to feature on his return to the south coast. Notching a first strike of the season away at Stoke over the weekend, veteran midfielder Adam Forshaw will start in the middle of the park.
Southampton vs Blackburn Rovers Key Factors to Consider
- When Southampton last welcomed Blackburn to St. Mary’s for a Championship showdown back in December 2023, Tuesday’s hosts stormed their way to a 4-0 victory.
- Including their iconic FA Cup success this month, Southampton have won each of their last six straight appearances across all competitions.
- The Saints are also unbeaten in all of their previous 17 matchups across all fronts – a run that stems back to January 17th.
- Blackburn have won just a pair of their previous nine Championship appearances.
- However, the Rovers have registered seven points from their last three appearances away from Ewood Park.
Conclusion
While Blackburn might have impressed with their recent success outside of Lancashire, Tuesday’s guests will be more than aware that they face a stern examination here. Falling to a thumping 4-0 loss when they last travelled to St. Mary’s for a Championship showdown back in December 2023, they will meet a Southampton squad who are enjoying an astonishing run of form. Punching an FA Cup semi-final ticket this month following a famous 2-1 victory against Premier League leaders Arsenal, Eckert’s high-flying squad have not suffered a single defeat across any front since the middle of January.
Verdict: Southampton win
Best Odds: 8/13
Bookmaker: Luckster
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