Southampton vs Tottenham Hotspur Predictions

• Southampton have lost 12 of 15 league games this term
• The hosts have lost four of their last five matches
• The Saints have scored in six consecutive home matches
• Tottenham have kept three clean sheets in their 15 Premier League matches

Sunday’s clash is an early gift for Spurs

The Premier League’s hectic Christmas schedule is almost upon us, but this encounter looks like an early present for Tottenham and Ange Postecoglou. The visitors are winless in four since a 4-0 victory at Manchester City, a result which looks less and less of their own making with each passing week.

Spurs blew a 2-0 lead at home to Chelsea in a 4-3 loss last Sunday and they drew 1-1 with Rangers in midweek. However, the visitors are widely expected to bounce back against a Saints side who have lost 12 of their first 15 matches back in the Premier League.

Uncompromising Martin leaves Saints vulnerable

It’s probably harsh to say Russell Martin is following the Vincent Kompany playbook, but his dogmatic approach certainly isn’t helping Southampton. The Saints continue to take risks in possession, even after losing four of their last five games. That run includes a 2-0 loss at struggling Wolves, along with 3-2 and 5-1 defeats to Liverpool and Chelsea at home.

Martin’s side are at least getting on the scoresheet at home, netting in each of their last six at St Mary’s. They can be confident about extending that run, as they meet a Tottenham side that takes similar risks.

Postecoglou’s team have kept only three clean sheets in 15 matches in the Premier League this term. Their only clean sheet in their last 11 came at City, but the champions had plenty of good chances that day too.

Spurs can avoid familiar failings

While there’s a fear that Tottenham will return to their Spursy worst in a fixture like this, the level Southampton have been performing at should counteract that. Even when they’ve been at their best they’ve managed to grab defeat from the jaws of victory, as seen in the loss to Liverpool.

Tottenham can also expect a strong display from Dejan Kulusevski, who has been their best player by some distance this term. The Swede has scored in his last two games and he has had a shot on target in all but one of his last eight appearances for club and country. He can drive Spurs to victory at the league’s bottom side, with the Saints’ poor defence and frequent errors likely to cost them again.