Crystal Palace v Southampton Betting Tips [12 September 2020]

Crystal Palace and Southampton will open their Premier League 2020-21 campaign with a match at Selhurst Park Stadium that could point to their fortunes for the rest of the season. Palace ended 14th in the league last season with 43 points, while Southampton have finished at 11th position with 52 points and just four outside the top-eight.

Palace warmed up for the season with four friendlies, winning three and drawing one. However, the ‘Eagles’ will know that they have a lot of catching up to do in the Premier League. Palace ended last season with seven losses and a draw with six of those losses coming ‘to nil’. In fact, only the bottom-placed Norwich City last season had scored fewer goals than Palace’s 31 in the Premier League. Understandably, with an average of 2.13 goals per game, only Sheffield United have clocked lesser average goals per game last season than Palace. However, they need to overturn a four-match winless run at home that logged one draw and three losses.

Southampton ended last season on a high with a seven-match unbeaten run winning four and drawing three. Danny Ings’ cracking form helped the ‘Saints’ as they stayed in the hunt for an unlikely European spot up until the last few rounds. Crucially, away form has been the driving force for Southampton with nine wins out of 19 away matches last season. Their tally of 31 away points was bettered only by Liverpool and Manchester City raising hopes of another positive start this season. Furthermore, Southampton have won their last three away Premier League matches at Selhurst Park – all without conceding a goal. Another win will mark a major milestone as the Saints have never won four consecutive away matches against a top-flight opponent.

Crystal Palace were dismal towards the end of last Premier League season, losing seven on the trot before drawing 1-1 on the last day against Tottenham. With six of those losses coming ‘to nil’ and the side boasting of one of the lowest scoring records last season, Palace have a lot to work on. Southampton, on the other hand, have been a revelation on their travels last league season. Only Liverpool and Manchester City have travelled better and that gives hopes to the travelling fans. Additionally, their record at this venue is impressive, winning the last three away matches. Last season saw Southampton draw 1-1 at home before winning 2-0 at this venue. We are backing this match on the goals market with under 2.5 goals our pick. A small wager can be had on a Southampton win and risk-takers can double it up with a clean sheet.