Sat Jan 04 14:10:00 UTC 2025: ## Brentford Aim for Fifth Straight Win Against Struggling Southampton

**Southampton, England –** Brentford travels to St. Mary’s Stadium on Saturday to face a struggling Southampton side, looking to extend their winning streak against the Saints to five games. While Brentford enters the match on the back of a challenging December, Southampton faces a much deeper crisis under new manager Ivan Jurić.

Southampton’s home form has been abysmal, with seven losses in nine league matches, scoring a paltry seven goals. Their overall league goal tally of 12 is the lowest in the division. However, their Expected Goals (xG) of 23.27 suggests they’ve been unlucky, and players like Cameron Archer (who is underperforming his xG) and Joe Aribo (high xG per shot) offer potential attacking threats. Young Tyler Dibling’s ability to draw fouls (35 times this season) also presents a challenge for opposing defenses.

Despite Brentford’s recent struggles and their winless away record this season, Southampton’s precarious position means this match is far from a foregone conclusion. The Saints, relegated last season and subsequently promoted via the playoffs, have struggled to adapt their possession-based style to Premier League competition. Their manager, Russell Martin, was sacked following a 5-0 home defeat to Tottenham, replaced by Jurić. Jurić, who has implemented a 3-4-1-2 formation, has overseen two more defeats since his arrival, leaving Southampton 10 points adrift of safety.

Brentford will be without Carvalho due to a minor groin injury, but otherwise, Thomas Frank has a full squad to choose from. The match will be officiated by Stuart Attwell. The Bees will be hoping to repeat their 3-1 victory over Southampton earlier in the season, a match in which Bryan Mbeumo scored twice. However, given Southampton’s desperate need for points and Brentford’s away form, a tight and potentially unpredictable contest is anticipated.

Read More