The match between Southampton and Birmingham at 18:30 on October 28 (in the English First Division for the 2023/24 season) has been determined.
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Match analysis preview
Southampton will host Birmingham at home in the round of 13 of the English First Division on Saturday night. Before this match, the two teams were only separated by 3 points in the standings.
Despite selling a lot of good players over the years, Southampton still have a strong squad and are fully capable of returning to the Premier League. After 13 matches in the First Division, the Saints have picked up 21 points and are temporarily in 5th place, in the group that can play the promotion playoffs. Their recent form is quite good when unbeaten in the last 5 matches (win 3, draw 2).
Meanwhile, Birmingham had a good start under coach Eustace, but the team management preferred Rooney, so they recruited the former England player to lead. On their debut, R10’s side did not perform well as they were beaten 2–0 at home by Hull City. Birmingham not only lost in terms of results but also lost in terms of metrics such as possession of the ball, the number of shots thrown.
Judging by this match, Southampton are in better form so there is a high probability of 3 points against a Birmingham that is still in the process of shaping the game.
Southampton are a ‘goalkeeper’ type of team. Although they scored the top number of goals in the league (21 goals, ranked 4th), they received an even higher number of goals conceded (24 goals, the highest in the league). Therefore, it can be seen that most of the matches of this team are often played very openly, appearing many goals. There is a high probability that the next match will have a similar scenario.
Relegated to the First Division from the Premier League, Southampton thought they would be superior to their opponents but they had poor performances with 4 consecutive defeats in September. Things have only improved in recent times as Southampton went unbeaten in 5 games in October. This string of possible achievements helped the Saints quickly jump to 5th place in the rankings. Although they are 10 points behind 2nd placed Ipswich Town, the chances of winning a direct promotion spot for Southampton are still very much when the new season is 1/4 over.
Analysis of scoring records of 2 teams
Meanwhile, Birmingham had a string of results that were completely opposite to the hosts. After a perfect start with 3 wins and rising to the top of the table, Birmingham have dropped without brakes with only 2 more wins in their last 10 matches. In the standings, this team is in 12th place with 18 points. Birmingham’s away record is also extremely bad as they have lost all 4 of their last matches away from home.
Now, Southampton are focused on closing the gap to 2nd-placed Ipswich Town, but the Hampshire-based club are currently 5th in the league table, 10 points behind second-placed Ipswich. The departures of James Ward-Prowse, Romeo Lavia and Nathan Tella in the summer transfer window do not appear to have had too much of an impact. Southampton’s squad still has quality personnel in their hands to aim for promotion.
Meanwhile, Birmingham entered the match with two poor results, and dropped to 12th in the table after a 2-0 defeat to Hull City last round. The arrival of Wayne Rooney as coach in place of John Eustace does not seem to improve much. Birmingham continued with a slow approach and as a result, they suffered defeat on aggregate.
With Keshi Anderson, Lee Buchanan and Tyler Roberts all targeting a return to action after injury, manager Rooney could make changes to his squad. However, players such as Jordan James and Emanuel Aiwu will remain in the starting line-up because of their importance. Right-back Ethan Laird returned to training this week after months sidelined with a hamstring injury, but it remains to be seen whether the player will be fit enough to return to action at St Mary’s.
Southampton are starting to show the form of a team vying for a return to the Premier League, and the Saints should be confident of extending their unbeaten run against a Birmingham side still looking for stability under a new head coach. The visitors’ difficult run will continue, and Southampton’s attacking line-up will be uncompromising to take advantage of Birmingham’s defensive weakness under Rooney.