Southampton face their third game in a week on Saturday as they welcome Cardiff to St Mary’s for a 3pm kick-off.
Southampton can be relatively happy with their start to the campaign under summer appointment Russell Martin, sitting fourth in the league and one point behind third-placed Leeds United.
Cardiff City are also enjoying a decent start under a new manager Erol Bulut and find themselves ninth in the table, just three points off the play-off places.
The game at St Mary’s is likely to be a tight encounter, with Southampton expected to have the bulk of possession but wary of the threat Cardiff possess from set-pieces and wide areas. The Saints will be confident after a midweek win over Bristol City, whilst Cardiff come into the game off the back of a narrow 1-0 defeat to West Brom.
Regular EFL pundit and ex-Southampton midfielder David Prutton has given his prediction for the game, anticipating a surprisingly comfortable 2-0 win for the Saints.
Southampton warned they must start scoring more
Although Prutton has predicted that Southampton will continue their fine run of form and extend their unbeaten run to 11 games as result, he has issued a warning to the club he made 95 appearances for.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Prutton said: “Southampton are narrowly finding the results they need on the most part, edging past Bristol City in midweek. But they need to start scoring in twos and threes or they will get bitten every so often – as happened last weekend.”
This reflects the view of many Southampton fans, who have seen their side struggle to put games to bed. Che Adams is predicted to return to the side against Cardiff City and could offer a greater goal threat, although his form has been concerning in recent games.
Prutton sees Cardiff as a decent side, but thinks Southampton will be too good for their visitors this weekend, saying: “Cardiff followed up a brilliant comeback win at Preston at the weekend with a tough defeat against West Brom in midweek, but three points from those two games is a solid return. They will give Southampton a good game, but the Saints will have too much here.”
Southampton will hope Prutton is right and will be desperate to see their side build on a lead to give themselves a more comfortable end to the game than they have experienced in their past two games.