12th Jan 2019 | Premier League
Premier League Relegation Tip: Southampton
The bookies seem to have a special place in their heart for the Saints despite their lowly status and a terrible campaign last season which shows it's no fluke. A minimal new manager bounce doesn't change the fact they are in real danger.
Last season we were a whisker away from landing an 18/1 winner having backed Southampton for the drop in the autumn. At the risk of attracting the ire of Saints’ fans, we’ll take another crack because Skybet are offering a best price 11/2 on the south coast side getting relegated, despite their current residence below the dreaded dotted line in 18th position.
That’s a notably big price considering the same firm made them 2/1 shots a few weeks ago. Yes they’ve enjoyed an uplift under their new boss, but a new manager bounce is common and it often doesn’t last. Just ask Mark Hughes.
The bookies generally feel that 5 other teams are more vulnerable than Southampton including Burnley, Cardiff and Newcastle. Given their current predicament, I would argue that Ralph Hasenhuttl’s boys should be the shortest price of those four, not the longest.
The Saints have still only tasted league victory 3 times in their 21 games in 2018-19 and when a ‘bounce’ is a run of W2 D1 L3 and leaves you still in the bottom three, start worrying!
This tip comes today because the odds may never be as long again this season. A trip to Leicester is tough enough, even if it wasn’t to also face a scorned former manager, and without Ings or Austin to call upon.
The rest of January sees home matches against Everton and Palace, but will they actually be favourites to win either of those either? Draws won’t keep this team in the top flight and another treacherous spring awaits.
Odds correct at time of publishing: 07:04 12th Jan, 2019 but subject to change