Liverpool will visit St. Mary's on Sunday afternoon, hoping to increase their margin at the top of the Premier League standings. Please scroll down to see our betting analysis and predictions.

Previous Matches and Head-to-head

To begin with the home team, Southampton may have won their first Premier League game earlier in the month with a 1-0 triumph against Everton, but Russell Martin's squad crashed and burned in their most recent match. An excess of weight is on the shoulders of the former Swansea coach at St. Mary's after another troubling performance in their 2-0 loss to Wolves. 

The Saints may have returned to the Premier League this season, but they are still widely considered a possibility for relegation. Southampton, who returned from the international break in November in last place in the league, faced a formidable opponent this past weekend.

The last time these two teams met on February 28th, they were hammered 3-0. Since then, Martin's squad has managed only one point in their past five Premier League encounters against Liverpool.

While many at Anfield may have been saddened by Jurgen Klopp's departure in the summer, Liverpool have been on a meteoric climb under Arne Slot. The atmosphere on the red half of Merseyside is electric, and they come back from the international break in November with a five-point lead over the rest of the group.

This past Sunday, the visitors were really killing it, earning rave reviews from all across the globe. The former Feyenoord manager has led his team to 28 points in 11 Premier League games as they enter the international break after a 2-0 home win over Aston Villa. This weekend, Slot's high-flying team should appreciate a trip to St. Mary's, as many are considering Liverpool as a genuine championship contender this season.

Southampton x Liverpool Team News

Southampton is likely to once again be without Scotland international Ross Stewart, who has not made a single appearance in any tournament since the start of October. On Martin's side, however, former Bournemouth player Ryan Fraser should be able to make it back this weekend.

Ex-Manchester City sensation Taylor Harwood-Bellis will start in the heart of Southampton's defense after discovering the net on his senior England debut last weekend. Although Cameron Archer, a 22-year-old summer acquisition, may have only scored two Premier League goals since joining St. Mary's, he should retain his position leading the line.

Although Virgil van Dijk may have left internal responsibilities with the Netherlands last week, Liverpool hopes its powerful captain will be allowed to play against his old team tonight. But coping with a hamstring problem before the fortnight break, Trent Alexander-Arnold is not thought to be in danger this weekend.

Already notching eight Premier League goals so far this season, offensive star Mohamed Salah will be most important against St. Mary's. With a hamstring injury, number one goalkeeper Alisson Becker stays on the sidelines and will once again be deputized by Irish shot-stopper Caoimhin Kelleher.

Our Predictions

Liverpool win & Under 4.5 goals @ 1.80 on Sky247.ng

Since Liverpool opened the new campaign, firing on all cylinders should be sniffing another great prospect here. Sunday's visitors will be enjoying a trip to St. Mary's this weekend after returning from November's international break with a five-point cushion at the top of the league. They will be winning comfortably at St. Mary this time again.

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