Will the EFL Cup provide Southampton with a distraction from their dismal league run when they host Liverpool at 7.45pm on Sky Sports 1?

After a positive patch throughout much of December, one that saw the side climb to a season-best 7th place, Southampton unravelled at the end of 2016. A 4-1 drubbing from Tottenham was followed by losses to West Brom and Everton either side of the New Year, marking the first time the Saints had lost 3 league games in a row since the end of 2014. This limpness bled into Southampton’s FA Cup fixture at the weekend, where after twice giving up the lead (the second time being in the 93rd minute) they were forced into a replay against Norwich next Wednesday.



To make matters worse, Claude Puel is dealing with a transfer request from Jose Fonte, meaning the French manager feels unable to play his captain until after the current window is closed. That kind of weakness at the back, especially against the Premier League’s top scorers, is a worry, and something that may undo Southampton’s current clean-sheet run in the EFL Cup. Add onto that the continued absence of Charlie Austin and the Saints’ semi-final chances only seem to shrink. If they are to triumph, however, then Jay Rodriguez (at a Super Mega PGM of 18-22) and Shane Long (at 17-21) will need to pick up a bit more slack up front.

As for Liverpool, it will be interesting to see how seriously Jurgen Klopp takes this tie given that the Reds travel to Old Trafford to take on a resurgent Man United on Sunday. One imagines the German may have learnt from the mistakes he made at the weekend. Fielding the youngest Liverpool side in the club’s history, Klopp’s patronising approach to the 3rd round FA Cup fixture against Plymouth backfired, with a 0-0 draw forcing an unwelcome replay next week.

With former-Saint Sadio Mane at the African Cup of Nations, Liverpool’s attacking duties will fall to Daniel Sturridge (who sits at a Super Mega PGM of 27-32), Divock Origi (at 21-26) and Roberto Firmino (at 18-22). There may also be an appearance from Philippe Coutinho (at 18-22), who could return after being out with an ankle injury for the past 7 weeks.

Back in November the hosts managed to hold on for a 0-0 draw at St Mary’s. Things may be slightly different this time around, however, with Spreadex offering a Liverpool/Southampton (h) Goal Supremacy spread of 0.2-0.4 alongside a Total Goals spread of 2.45-2.65.