Sun 22 Dec 2013 13:30 –

Southampton v Spurs (St. Mary’s Stadium)

Referee: Chris Foy

This game is a difficult one to predict in terms of straight match betting and there is little to separate them at the bookmakers. Southampton are without a league win in the last five matches but have only lost one game at home all season while Spurs are without a manager after last weekend’s devastating defeat at the hands of Liverpool. Prior to that defeat and the subsequent removal of Villas-Boas, Spurs had won their previous two away games; and overall they have the joint-best away record in the league, with five victories. For match betting, the draw offers the best value in this game. The goal betting market offers some good options in this game with the statistics showing a bias towards under 2.5 goals in 75% of the Saint’s home games and 62.5% of Tottenham’s away games.

This game also offers a good option for betting on both teams to score, as Tottenham have not kept a clean sheet for six games and six out of seven of Southampton’s last league games have produced this outcome.

For corner betting it should be noted that Southampton have won the most corners in all their home games this season, and there is a slight bias towards over 10.5 corners in this game, with the home side averaging 10.8 per game and Spurs averaging 12 per away game.

The most significant absences through injury will be Wanyama for Southampton and Townsend for Spurs while both teams have a handful of fringe players also missing. The absence of a permanent manager will add an element of unpredictability to Spurs this weekend but they will be keen to avoid another humiliation after last weekend’s drubbing.

Southampton have slipped down the table and will be hoping to take advantage of Tottenham’s instability. A draw provides the best match betting value for the game, and looks like the best option based on the statistics. Southampton have been involved in five 1-1 draws and that you will get a good price on that result. There should be under 2.5 goals and over 10.5 corners with the Saints winning the most corners. Match Prediction: Southampton 1-1 Spurs