- Southampton have won two of their last three in all competitions
- Liverpool have failed to score in just one game so far this season
- Recommended bet: Liverpool under 18.5 shots

Bottom in the Premier League plays top at St Mary's on Sunday, with Liverpool widely expected to make light work of Russell Martin's struggling Southampton.

Saints have lost nine of their 11 league matches so far this season, while the Reds go into the weekend five points clear and flying high at the top of the table.

Team news

Martin may have to rip up his 5-4-1 formation with mainstay centre-back Jan Bednarek injured.

The Saints boss could still play a back three of Kyle Walker-Peters, Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Jack Stephens, with Yuki Sugawara coming back in at right wing-back.

The other key problem for the hsosts is in goal, with Aaron Ramsdale and Gavin Bazunu both absent, so Alex McCarthy will have to start. Will Smallbone is also out, but Flynn Downes should be fit.

As for Liverpool, Conor Bradley, Joe Gomez and Jarell Quansah are on standby if Trent Alexander-Arnold and ex-Saint Virgil van Dijk are not fit to feature.

Goalkeeper Alisson looks set to miss out again.

The stats

Southampton, who have lost nine of their 11 league games, concede 6.9 shots per game more than Liverpool.

The Reds have conceded only six goals, four fewer than any other side and they have kept six clean sheets in 11 matches.

Eight-goal Mo Salah has scored one more goal than the rest of the Liverpool squad, while the Reds have netted exactly two goals in each of their last four league matches.

Only Chelsea (42) have picked up more cards than Southampton, who have amassed 37 yellows and two reds.

Prediction

Saints fans have pretty much given up hope after a wretched start to the season sees them bottom after 11 matches.

Indeed, Soton diehards fear the worst with leaders Liverpool in town on Sunday and their team missing their most consistent central defender in Bednarek.

But Southampton have produced gutsy against-the-odds efforts against the other two members of the elite trio, having the temerity to take the lead at Arsenal before succumbing 3-1 and then going down just 1-0 at Manchester City.

They will keep the ball for respectable periods as is their way, though are unlikely to offer too much of a threat.

Liverpool, while they are flying, are making hard work of winning games – they have won only two of their last eight Premier League fixtures by more than one goal.

The Merseysiders had just 10 shots at Brighton on their last away day and Southampton will look after the ball for decent periods, so take the Reds to chalk up under 18.5 shots.

Back Liverpool under 18.5 shots at 4/6 with LiveScore Bet

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