Southampton vs Sheffield United Predictions

• Southampton have won three of their last four Premier League home games.
• Sheffield United have lost 10 of their first 11 Premier League away matches this season.
• Southampton have won 2-0 in each of their last three Premier League home victories.
• Sheffield United are the joint lowest scorers in the Premier League this season with five goals.

Saints get back to winning ways

Southampton’s 2-1 comeback victory at Brighton last weekend was significant for two reasons. The win over the Seagulls allowed the Saints to find the groove again after they dropped points in successive games against Wolves and Man Utd, though the identity of their match-winner against Albion was equally consequential.

Talismanic centre-forward Danny Ings made his long-awaited return from injury at the AMEX Stadium, and the prolific 28-year-old, who was introduced as a second half sub, scored Southampton’s crucial second goal from the spot in the 81^st minute.

The Saints’ win – their sixth of the season so far – keeps them within touching distance of the top four, and Ralph Hasenhüttl’s continental qualification contenders look favourites to claim three more points against Sheffield United on Sunday.

Blades in the mire

Bottom club Sheffield United meanwhile, suffered last minute heartache in their last Premier League assignment, when they were denied a share of the spoils against Leicester City by Jamie Vardy’s last gasp Foxes winner.

The Blades remain firmly rooted to the foot of the table having taken just a single point from their opening 11 Premier League fixtures, while their paltry return of just five goals so far is the division’s joint lowest haul.

United to suffer again

With Danny Ings back in the fold, and a run of three wins from four games at St. Mary’s Stadium to draw confidence from, Southampton are clear favourites to win again on Sunday against a Blades outfit that look completely devoid of confidence.

Sheffield United’s run of five away defeats on the bounce this term is a dismal showing for a team that was so competitive last season, though in truth, Chris Wilder’s men have struggled on the road since Project Restart, and the Blades are without Premier League away victory in a huge 11 attempts overall.

Ralph Hasenhüttl’s slick-passing and hard-working Saints should prove too potent a force for poor travelers Sheffield United to handle on Sunday, and with all the momentum behind the hosts, backing Southampton to win looks the smartest manoeuvre.

Each of the Saints’ last three Premier League home wins finished 2-0, and that looks a solid correct score prediction again when Southampton pit their wits against a Blades team that has already failed to score in five fixtures this term.

That man Danny Ings is also worth backing to get in on the act on the south coast. The Saints’ key performer had scored five times in six Premier League appearances before his injury layoff, and having made an impact as a substitute against Brighton last week, Ings should be even more influential when he plays from the start against Sheffield United.

Southampton injuries and team news

Southampton have virtually a clean bill of health for their meeting with Sheffield United on Sunday. Danny Ings should return to the starting line-up for the first time since his injury, leaving William Smallbone as the only injury doubt.

Sheffield United injuries and team news

Jack O’Connell remains sidelined for Sheffield United, while Ethan Ampadu, Enda Stevens and Lys Mousset are all in a race to be fit for the Blades’ trip to the South Coast.

Oli McBurnie, who played so well against Leicester last time out, is expected to keep his place up front.