English Premier
2013-01-21 - Southampton vs Everton
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English Premier League
Monday 21 January 2013 - Kick Off 8pm
This game is live on TV
Southampton
The news from St Mary's that Nigel Adkins was going to be replaced as manager by Mauricio Pochettino was a real surprise to most outside of the club. However, rumours had been going around for some time that the Southampton board had been looking for Adkins' replacement for some time. Despite a positive start to the Premier League and a real chance of surviving in the top flight, this decision puts the pressure on Southampton to avoid relegation else the fans will feel the sacking of Adkins was not even close to being justified.
The weekend results have all gone through with this game remaining and Southampton won't be too disappointed to find themselves in the same 15th place in the Premier League that they started on Friday evening. The Saints also remain 3 points clear of the relegation zone, while they bring in a 3-4-4 home record where they have scored 15 goals and conceded 14.
Usually managers may be removed when they are going through a bad run of form, but that will not be the case for Southampton who are actually unbeaten in 5 Premier League games, although winning just 1 of those games. That run included fighting back from 2-0 down at Chelsea to earn a point, while Southampton have lost just 1 of their last 6 Premier League games at home. They did suffer a 1-5 loss to Chelsea in the FA Cup here during that time, but the League is the priority for Southampton this season.
Vegard Forren may make his debut at centre half for Southampton in this one, but Adam Lallana is doubtful. Rickie Lambert came off the bench to score against Chelsea last time out, but who really knows what Pochettino wants to do with his new side.
Everton
Injuries are the biggest concern for David Moyes and his Everton side this season, but steering clear of them so far has allowed them to be very much in the mix for a Champions League place for next season. They wouldn't have minded seeing Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal dropping points this weekend and have a real chance to close the gap to the top four with a win on the south coast.
Everton are 5th in the Premier League table and they have picked up 37 points so far this season which leaves them 4 points behind Spurs in the final Champions League places. Only Manchester City have lost fewer games in the League so far this season, while Everton bring in a 4-5-2 away record with 18 goals scored and 14 conceded.
The form has been good for Everton coming into this game and they have lost just 1 of their last 11 games in all competitions, although would have been disappointed with a 0-0 home draw with Swansea last time out. Everton are unbeaten in their last 5 away games in all competitions, while they have won 3 in a row on their travels including back to back trips in the Premier League at West Ham United and Newcastle United.
Johnny Heitinga is likely back in the squad for this one, but Kevin Miralles is unlikely to be risked.
Head to Head
Everton beat Southampton 3-1 at Goodison Park earlier this season despite falling 0-1 down in that game.
This is their first visit to St Mary's in 8 seasons when the sides played out a 2-2 draw in the Premier League.
Southampton have only lost 1 of their last 11 home games against Everton, although the last 2 games have both been high-scoring draws.
Prediction
This is an important game for both sides and it is tough to separate them- we just don't know how the Southampton players will react to the turmoil of losing Nigel Adkins on Friday and a new man taking charge for training on Saturday, while Everton have been tough to beat on their travels but not always doing enough to win games.
My concern here is for the 1-1 draw, but I think both sides are going to push forward for the win and I think there is every chance that we do get to see a winner and the over 2.5 goals coming in.
There haven't been too many goals in recent Southampton home games in the Premier League, but there have been chances in those games and Everton are a side that are capable going forward, while vulnerable at the back.
The over 2.5 goals is a slightly odds on, and that will be my pick in this game.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Southampton 1-2 Everton
