Rotherham vs Southampton Prediction & Betting Tips - Championship

Prediction published on 01/02/2024, 10:00  by Ian John | Modified on 03/02/2024 at 02:00 in Championship Prediction

Bottom-placed Rotherham United host Southampton on Saturday and the contrast in form between the two teams could not be more marked. The Millers have won just one of their last 16 games in the Championship, a run of form which has left them four points adrift at the foot of the table and 9 points away from safety. A quick return to League One looks likely for Leam Richardson's team unless they can put together an exceptional run of form in the final third of the season. On the positive side, all their league wins have come at Millmoor this season, and they have lost just five of the 14 games played at home. Surprisingly, those three wins have all come against teams currently in the top half of the table (Coventry, Norwich and Middlesbrough), which could be a warning for Southampton not too expect things too easy on Saturday afternoon. 

After going four games undefeated at the start of the season, Southampton suffered a nightmare September, losing all four games in succession. Since then Russell Martin's team have not been defeated in the Championship and have moved up to third in the table, just one point behind Ipswich Town. The Saints have also won six of their last seven in the Championship, rattling in 20 goals in those games, conceding just three. With 53 goals in the league, they are the second highest scorers in the division, only behind Leicester. They face a Millers side whose 52 goals conceded is the second worst in the division (one behind Blackburn Rovers 53 goals conceded). Martin's Saints should be confident of picking up a win here, despite being held to a 1-1 draw by Watford in their FA Cup 4th Round tie at the weekend.