Saints return to St Mary's on Wednesday night for a big Premier League clash with Brentford. Get set for midweek action with our Match Pack, in association with eToro...
THE MATCH
Saints vs Brentford
Premier League
St Mary’s
Wednesday 15th March, 7.30pm GMT
THE OFFICIALS
Referee: Michael Salisbury
Assistants: Matthew Wilkes, Timothy Wood
Fourth official: Graham Scott
VAR: Neil Swarbrick
Assistant VAR: Harry Lennard
WHAT’S AT STAKE?
At this stage of the season every game holds an increasing level of importance, but Saints will be hoping to leave the bottom three for the first time since October.
Victory over the Bees on Wednesday night could lift Rubén Sellés’s side as high as 15th, potentially providing a big psychological boost ahead of the visit of Spurs on Saturday.
First, however, the hosts will have to deal with a wounded Brentford side, who fell to defeat on Saturday for the first time since October in the Premier League.
Now heading to the south coast, Saints will need to be wary of Thomas Frank’s side who will be targeting a swift return to winning ways.
TEAM NEWS
Ainsley Maitland-Niles is the only doubt for Wednesday night, having missed the trip to Old Trafford on Sunday having picked up a knock in training.
If unavailable, the defender will join Tino Livramento and Juan Larios on the sidelines. For the visitors, only Thomas Strakosha and Keane Lewis-Potter remain out.
THE MANAGERS
Rubén Sellés: "In the month I have been in charge, I'm very proud of what the boys have been doing. We've had some ups and downs but performances have been strong and the reality is the reality.
"We still need to fight a relegation battle. It's good we made points in the last four games, very good performances some of the games, but we still have a long way to go."
Thomas Frank: To follow.
ONES TO WATCH
Charly Alcaraz: The Argentine is bidding to score in three consecutive home matches at St Mary’s, having excelled in a more advanced midfield role.
Having picked up a knee injury against Leicester a fortnight ago, Alcaraz was withdrawn after 50 minutes at Man United on Sunday, meaning the 20-year-old should be nearing full fitness on Wednesday night.
Ivan Toney: Brentford's top scorer by some distance, the 26-year-old brings more to the table for the Bees than just goals.
Also joint-highest for assists this season, Toney provides the focal point for Brentford's attack. Ready to drop deep and bring the likes of Bryan Mbuemo into play, the striker needs to be watched closely.
TOP PERFORMERS
Southampton:
Goals:
Ché Adams 9
James Ward-Prowse 8
Romain Perraud 4
Assists:
Adams, Ward-Prowse 3
Perraud, Mara, Elyounoussi 2
Brentford:
Goals:
Ivan Toney 16
Bryan Mbuemo 5
Jensen, Wissa 4
Assists:
Toney, Jensen 4
Bryan mbuemo 3
Wissa, Dasilva, Nørgaard, Henry 2
HEAD TO HEAD
Played: 44
Saints: 17
Draws: 12
Brentford: 15
LAST FIVE MEETINGS
February 2023: Brentford 3-0 Saints
May 2022: Brentford 3-0 Saints
January 2022: Saints 4-1 Brentford (Bednarek, Fernández OG, Broja, Adams)
September 2020: Saints 0-2 Brentford
April 2011: Brentford 0-3 Saints (Lallana, Connolly, Gobern)
DID YOU KNOW?
- All three Premier League meetings between Southampton and Brentford have been won by the home side, with each victory being by a margin of three goals. Saints won this exact fixture 4-1 last season.
- Charly Alcaraz could become only the second player to score in each of his first three home Premier League appearances for Southampton, after David Hirst, who did so when Saints played at the Dell in November 1997.
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