Southampton vs Preston tips and predictions

Nothing to like in huge price against Preston

There's 18 points between these two as fourth place Southampton get set to host tenth place Preston.

The in-form home team will be quick to create some breathing space when this gets going. The general consensus is that when these sides meet they are bound to produce some goals.

Without much to go on, it's a speculative view this one. It's hard to make a case for anything apart from a straightforward home win but the odds-on price isn't very tempting. Preston are unlikely to be making headlines against this side.

Few would argue with the idea that Southampton have the pedigree. The hosts have secured 14 home wins from their last 17 games while the travelling side has failed to deliver at times. They've lost 9 of their recent 17 matches on the road. They will struggle here too.

This home team is in a bit of a run of form. Southampton scored three or more times in 8 of their recent 13 home matches while their defensive line has also received plaudits. The data shows that they have kept a clean sheet in 7 of their last 15 home games. This clash will be an opportunity for them to keep a clean sheet again.

In front of goal, the visitors have been underwhelming. They've been goalless in 3 of their last 4 matches. While the stats imply their recent finishing might not have been clinical, they will surely have made improvements for this match. Those could be famous last words though.

With the fundamental superiority of Southampton it's likely they keep Preston out of contention. The No BTTS bet seems fair enough. Looking into the goal line, it's fewer than three goals in this match given the current prices.