Southampton got their push for Championship promotion moving in the right direction again at the weekend.
Joe Aribo’s stoppage time strike secured a dramatic 4-3 win away at Birmingham City for the Saints.
That ended a run of four defeats from five in all competitions. It also means they are yet to be cut adrift in the race for a top two spot.
Russell Martin‘s side will now look to build on that success when they return to action on Wednesday night.
This time, they are set to host Preston North End at St Mary’s. Now it seems as though there is a belief Southampton ought to be able to pick up another big three points in that game.
David Prutton makes Southampton v Preston prediction
For their part, Preston North End come into this one on a good run of their own. Ryan Lowe’s side are now unbeaten in their last seven league games.
As a result, they sit 8th in the current Championship table, three points adrift of the play-off places.
However, David Prutton believes that Southampton will be able to put an end to that run on Wednesday night.
Writing about the game in his regular predictions column for Sky Sports, the former Saints midfielder said:
“What a win for Southampton at the weekend. To nick it so late at Birmingham to keep them within touching distance of Ipswich should have given them a real boost. They do have to sit back and watch the other three above them play on Tuesday night, mind.
“Preston are right in that jostle for the play-offs, and will have been pleased enough with a point against Hull to keep within touching distance of that top six. They are on a good run, but I just feel it may come to an end at St Mary’s.”
As a result, Prutton has predicted a 2-1 win for Southampton in this game.
A must win match for Saints
It is absolutely vital for Martin’s side that they claim all three points from this game.
Against Birmingham City at the weekend, getting the win to end that poor run was all that really mattered.
Southampton managed to do that, but did make hard work of it against a side at the wrong end of the table, and playing with 10 men for around half an hour.
As a result, they are going to have be more convincing than that, if they are going to start growing the belief again, that they really can win promotion this season.
Victory in a game like this, against a Preston North End side who are in form and pushing for the play-offs, could therefore send a much stronger message.
The fact they are playing the night after the rest of their rivals in the race for a top two spot also makes this interesting.
That of course, will add to the pressure for Southampton, since it will ensure they know exactly what they need from this game.
How they cope with all of that, could certainly be telling when it comes to the Saints’ prospects between now and the end of the season.