Match Pack: Saints vs Brentford

Saints vs Brentford

Premier League

St Mary’s Stadium

Tuesday 11 January, 7.45pm GMT

Referee: Stuart Attwell.

Assistants: Adam Nunn, Peter Kirkup.

Fourth official: David Coote.

VAR: Peter Bankes.

Assistant VAR: Lee Betts.

After having their 2022 opener with Newcastle United postponed, Saints are back in Premier League action for the first time in 2022.

It was a largely positive festive period for Saints, claiming an impressive 3-2 victory over West Ham on Boxing Day before holding Tottenham to a 1-1 draw at St Mary’s just two days later.

The visitors have a perfect record so far in 2022, with victory over Aston Villa in the league and Port Vale in the third round of the Emirates FA Cup.

The two sides are separated by just two points, with victory on Tuesday providing a huge opportunity for either side to climb up the Premier League table.

Brentford can jump as high as 10th, while Saints can leapfrog their opponents in 11th with victory at St Mary’s.

Both sides were inFA Cup action this weekend and both ensured progression to the fourth round, though Southampton will certainly be feeling the wearier of the two sides as Swansea forced them into extra time.

TEAM NEWS

Ché Adams is back and available for selection for Saints, while Thierry Small and Kyle Walker-Peters remain in isolation.

Tino Livramento remains absent for Saints alongside Will Smallbone and Alex McCarthy.

The return of Mohammed Salisu from suspension is countered by Yan Valery’s absence as he picked up two yellow cards against Swansea on Saturday.

Sergi Canos and Mathias Jensen are both available for selection at St Mary’s.

Rico Henry and Mathias Jørgensen are nearing return but will not feature on Tuesday night.

THE MANAGERS

Ralph Hasenhüttl: “We had a very tough game but that’s how it is. We are known for our intensity and tomorrow we will be ready to go again.”

The captain is looking to score in four consecutive Premier League games for the first time in his career. His opener for Southampton against Spurs last time out ended a run of 11 consecutive goals in the competition from either a penalty or direct free-kick situation.

Netting a hat-trick in just 21 minutes after coming off the bench against Port Vale in the FA Cup on Saturday, the Frenchman will be looking to continue his impressive scoring tally at St Mary’s.

Elyounoussi, Broja 6

James Ward-Prowse 5

Ché Adams 4

Assists:
Nathan Redmond 5
James Ward-Prowse 4
Kyle Walker-Peters 3

Brentford:

Goals:
Bryan Mbeumo 7
Forss, Wissa 6
Ivan Toney 5

Assists:
Saman Ghoddos 4
Ivan Toney 3
Forss, Canós, Roerslev, Jensen 2

HEAD TO HEAD

Played: 67
Saints: 33
Draws: 13
Spurs: 21

LAST FIVE MEETINGS

September 2020: Saints 0-2 Brentford
April 2011: Brentford 0-3 Saints (Lallana, Connolly, Gobern)
December 2010: Saints 0-2 Brentford
January 2010: Brentford 1-1 Saints (James)
August 2009: Saints 1-1 Brentford (Harding)

DID YOU KNOW?

- Southampton have lost just once at home in the Premier League this season (0-1 vs Wolves), but have had more home draws than any other side in the competition this term (6). Each of their last three home games has finished level, with Saints last drawing four in a row at home in the top-flight back in January 2005.
- Southampton won their first league game in both 2020 (vs Spurs) and 2021 (vs Liverpool) – only once have they won their first league game in three consecutive calendar years, doing so between 1969 and 1971.
- This is the first ever top-flight meeting between Southampton and Brentford, with Saints winning the last league meeting between the sides in April 2011 (3-0 at Griffin Park).


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