Southampton v Coventry: Premier League wait over for Saints
Published:Southampton can return to the top-flight after a seven year absence when they go into their fixture with Coventry as 1/4 favourites to record that vital win.
Nigel Adkins’ side are two points clear of third placed West Ham, and blew their chance to seal promotion last week with defeat at Middlesbrough.
However, Saints have already beat the Sky Blues this term and should be comfortable against a side already relegated.
City experienced something of a mini-revival going seven unbeaten, before losing three of their last four, including crucial home games to Doncaster and Millwall, and they are unfancied to crash the party at 10/1 to record a victory.
A share of the spoils at 9/2 may also be enough to see the home side promoted, providing West Ham do not overturn the three goal advantage the South Coast club currently hold over the Hammers.
The visitors have also drawn three of their last five away from home
Saints have a wealth of firepower amongst their ranks and it is no surprise that top scorer Rickie Lambert is favourite to net the opener at 11/4.
The Scouser has 31 in all competitions and it would seem fitting if his goal kick-started the celebrations.
The away side have lacked a consistent goalscorer throughout the campaign, with Lukas Jutkiewicz still their top marksman despite departing in January, Gary McSheffrey has chipped in with eight in the league though and could be worth some attention at 9/1 to be first on the scoresheet.
Coventry have only scored 13 away from home this term, whilst their opponents have only conceded 18 times at St Mary’s, the second lowest in the division, so betting on Southampton to win to nil looks a wise move at 11/10.
Andy Thorne’s men have also failed to net in their last two and conceded twice on both occasions, so supporters of the scorecast may opt to pair a 2-0 home success with Lambert finding the net first at 12/1.
