Southampton FC vs Wolverhampton Wanderers FC, Premier League 2022-2023, Today Match Prediction

Southampton FC vs Wolverhampton Wanderers FC Match Prediction & Analysis

Southampton’s season took another turn for the worse when they were hammered by the in-form Brentford last weekend.

The following week has been spent picking apart the comments of manager Nathan Jones in the aftermath of that defeat. He has been ruthlessly honest about the performance of his players and his own management.

It hasn’t gone down too well with supporters, many of whom seem to want him out of the club. They may get their wish if they go down to another defeat this weekend. 

On the other hand, Wolves are looking onwards and upwards after a stunning 3-0 victory over Liverpool in their last game.

Liverpool are not quite the team they once were right now, but even so it was a remarkable result for Julen Lopetegui’s side.

They remain just two points ahead of the relegation zone, but will have their sights set above them rather than below.

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Southampton FC Preview

Reasons to be cheerful:

     James Ward-Prowse gives the team hope

     Team must surely respond in front of their own fans

Reasons to be fearful:

     Lost eight of their past nine games

     Their home record of six points this season is the worst in the league

The fact that Southampton and Bournemouth are the two favourites for relegation this season owes much to their choice of manager right now.

Both sacked their managers – Ralph Hasenhuttl and Scott Parker – at around the same time and opted to bring in young, inexperienced managers. 

On the other hand, Wolves and Everton – two clubs in a similar position – have brought in experienced, highly respected managers and it seems to be working for them.

The Saints have been dreadful since Nathan Jones took over, losing six of the seven games under his leadership.

They have brought in several players in the January transfer window and now may be the time to throw them into the starting line-up. Another defeat, in front of their home fans, won’t go down well.

Star Man – James Ward-Prowse

Ward-Prowse has scored all four of Southampton’s goals since the Premier League restart after the World Cup. He needs to inspire those around him to have the same impact that he is having.

Wolverhampton Wanderers FC Preview

Reasons to be cheerful

     Won their last four meetings with Southampton

     Have earned 10 points from their six league games under Lopetegui

Reasons to be fearful

     Have lost the next game after each win this season

     Remain the lowest goalscorers in the league with 15

Wolves produced their best performance in some time last weekend, comfortably beating Liverpool by a thumping 3-0 scoreline.

It was nothing more than they, and Liverpool, deserved and they are reaping the rewards of Julen Lopetegui’s management.

The 10 points they have earned in the six games under the Spaniard matches their tally from the 15 matches before his appointment. 

While they remain the lowest-scoring team in the league, they are steadily moving up the table thanks to positive results. They could leapfrog Leicester into 14th with victory here.

Star Man – Ruben Neves

His control over the midfield was nothing short of phenomenal against Liverpool and is now Wolves’ joint-top scorer after his fifth goal of the season.