Southampton vs Wolves preview, predictions & possible XIs
Southampton will look to keep up their excellent form when Wolves visit the south coast on Saturday.
The Saints have been impressive of late, winning four of their last five and recording well-deserved victories over the likes of Tottenham and Leicester City.
Meanwhile, Wolves are struggling for consistency having gone out of the FA Cup to Manchester United in midweek.
Read on for our preview, predictions, team news, key men, possible XIs and more.
When is Southampton vs Wolves and where can I watch live?
Competition: Premier League
Venue: St Mary’s Stadium
Date: Saturday, 18 January 2020
Kick-off: 3:00 PM (UK time)
TV coverage (UK): N/A
Last five meetings: Southampton vs Wolves
19 October 2019: Wolves 1-1 Southampton (Premier League)
13 April 2019: Southampton 3-1 Wolves (Premier League)
29 September 2018: Wolves 2-0 Southampton (Premier League)
23 August 2017: Southampton 0-2 Wolves (FA Cup)
10 April 2009: Wolves 3-0 Southampton (Championship)
Aggregate Score: Southampton (DWLLL) 4-9 Wolves (DLWWW)
Ones to watch
Southampton: Danny Ings
There has been plenty of talk this week of Danny Ings potentially entering Gareth Southgate’s plans for Euro 2020, and it’s not difficult to see why.
The striker has been in superb form of late. He bagged the winner in Southampton’s redemptive victory at Leicester last time out and could have had a hat-trick after getting himself into good positions time and time again. Wolves must be wary of the threat he poses.
Key stat: Jamie Vardy (17) is the only Englishman with more Premier League goals than Danny Ings this season (14).
Wolves: Raul Jimenez
Of course, Wolves have a lethal striker of their own in Raul Jimenez. The Mexican may have failed to find the net in his last five appearances, but he came incredibly close at Old Trafford in midweek and will be hungry to end his drought here.
Jimenez also has the potential to create chances for his teammates, including the in-form Adama Traore.
Key stat: Jimenez has been directly involved in 14 Premier League goals this season (8 goals, 6 assists), more than any other Wolves player.
Team news
Southampton
Yan Valery is Southampton’s only absentee because of illness. The Saints squad is otherwise fully fit. As a result, they are likely to go unchanged from their win at Leicester City last time out.
Predicted XI: McCarthy; Soares, Stephens, Bednarek, Bertrand; Armstrong, Ward-Prowse, Hojbjerg, Redmond; Long, Ings.
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Wolves
Nuno Espirito Santo confirmed Traore is fine despite a knock in midweek, but Ruben Vinagre needs assessing. Diogo Jota is said to be nearing a return but may only be fit enough for the bench.
Willy Boly is Wolves’ only long-term absentee.
Predicted XI: Rui Patricio; Dendoncker, Coady, Saiss; Doherty, Neves, Moutinho, Otto; Neto, Jimenez, Traore.
Squawka prediction
Southampton have done brilliantly to turn their form around since losing 9-0 at Leicester last year. But their fine run of form, which includes four wins from their last five league games, must come to an end soon, and Wolves are renowned for taking scalps on the road.
