6th Feb 2016 | Premier League
Saintly Shutout
Southampton have kept four clean sheets in a row since Fraser Forster returned between the sticks and they rarely look short of a goal down the other end.
This may look too close to call as 6th meet 7th but Southampton have rediscovered their defensive fortitude from last season and can be backed to win to nil at a best price of 9/5 in the late Saturday kick-off.
West Ham may have been all-conquering earlier in the season on their travels, but now it’s just one win in eight on the road in all competitions.
We can analyse shot data to see why the Saints may well finish the campaign above their visitors. Koeman’s boys average marginally more shots per game (13.9) compared to the Hammers (13.7).
However it’s down the other end you really see the difference. The Saints only allow opponents an average of 11.6 shots per fixture compared to 12.9 conceded by Bilic’s boys. This last number soars to 17.8 in West Ham away games which ranks the third worst in the division.
It’s hard not to see the Saints winning at St Mary’s for a fourth time on the spin in the top flight and they could record a fifth consecutive clean sheet in the process.
Odds correct at time of publishing: 11:18 6th Feb, 2016 but subject to change
