Southampton relegation odds cut after Tottenham defeat

Saints continue to struggle as Son runs riot on the south coast

Southampton have seen their odds in the Premier League relegation betting market cut to 6/1 following their 5-2 defeat to Tottenham on Sunday. 

Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side were priced at 10/1 for the drop at the beginning of the campaign, with many people feeling optimistic about the Saints’ chances of a top-half finish this term after their promising displays during Project Restart. 

While it is still extremely early days and there is still every chance that Southampton will pick up form and push for a top ten finish, perhaps even a spot in next season’s Europa League, they have got their campaign off in the worst possible way with two defeats in their opening two league games, alongside toppling out of the Carabao Cup thanks to a disappointing 2-0 loss to Championship side Brentford last week. 

Last weekend’s opening day defeat against Crystal Palace was particularly surprising as Southampton were the bookmaker’s favourites (7/5) heading into that clash at Selhurst Park. However, a poor display led to Wilfried Zaha stealing the spoils with an early goal, in turn providing Palace with their first win over the St Mary’s outfit since January 2018.

Tottenham were the favourites ahead of Sunday’s clash despite kicking off their season with a 1-0 defeat to Everton last weekend, priced at 5/4 in the betting, but during the first 40 minutes Southampton were the better side, leading the game 1-0 thanks to a magnificent strike from last season’s top goalscorer Danny Ings. 

Things took a turn on the stroke of half-time, though, as Son Heung-min opened his account for the season to ensure all was even heading into the break. Spurs then dominated the second 45, with Man of the Match Son notching three more goals before Harry Kane got in on the act late-on. 

A last minute penalty converted by Ings proved nothing more than a consolation goal and Southampton now find themselves second-from-bottom in the top flight with zero points to their name. While Son’s finishing was emphatic, the hosts’ defending was best described as shambolic, with the back-line continually misjudging the high line which allowed the South Korean to run in behind with ease. 

Saints’ forthcoming games against Burnley and rock-bottom West Brom are vital, with matches against Chelsea and Everton in October set to prove a huge challenge given their early form. 

Elsewhere in the relegation betting market, Fulham and West Brom remain firm favourites for the drop following their respective defeats against Leeds and Everton - both priced as short as 1/2 with certain bookies. 

West Ham also continue to struggle, with their 2-1 defeat against Arsenal on Saturday keeping them rooted to the bottom-four. The Hammers’ odds for the drop have been cut to 9/4 from 9/2 after their recent loss, with manager David Moyes firm 2/1 favourite to be the first managerial casualty of the 2020-21 campaign.