Become a Creator today!Start creating today - Share your story with the world!
Start for free
00:00:00
00:00:01
Episode 421: Matchday Preview: 8 IN A ROW?!
122 Plays11 days ago
Southampton – Swansea up next. A big game for us, maybe not for them. Can we keep the train rolling?
Follow us on social media:
Linktree - https://linktr.ee/dailysouthamptonpod
X - https://x.com/DailySaintsPod
TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@dailysaintspod
Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@DailySaintsPod
Instagram – https://www.instagtam.com/dailysaintspod
Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/gspnsouthampton.bsky.social
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572875812052
Our Sponsors
For advertising and sponsorship details or to learn more about the scale and demographics of our audience – email us - dailysaintspod@gmail.com
Copyright | 2026 | Daily Saints Pod | All Rights Reserved
Recommended
Transcript
Introduction and Episode Context
00:00:13
DailySaintsPod
Hello and welcome back to the Daily Saints pod episode number 421. My name is Greg and as you will notice flying solo today unfortunately Zach struck down with illness unable to be with me but has taking the time to provide in text form some thoughts on the game.
Squad Rotation and Schedule Demands
00:00:35
DailySaintsPod
It's inevitable it's going to happen with the run-in being as busy as it is with as many games as we are going to play. Injuries and drops are going to be inevitable. We need full squad rotation here on the podcast as well as in the game.
00:00:52
DailySaintsPod
But it's okay. we've we've We've got it under control. Of course, today, our match preview episode building up to our game and our visit to Wales at on tomorrow.
00:01:07
DailySaintsPod
The games don't stop. They they keep coming. And they will keep coming for the rest of the season. But before I get into that and into the normal match preview stuff, I saw some some stuff on social media today. and I want to shout it out because I think it's important. And and especially with some of the other rumors floating about at the moment, I think it's is's it good
Leo Sienza's Off-Field Influence
00:01:34
DailySaintsPod
to talk about. so
00:01:37
DailySaintsPod
Just realistically, not not something that's new for Saints fans this season, just heaps of praise for Leo Sienza, but not in a footballing capacity this time. Lots of praise for him taking the time to play some mini-golf with with a so young Saints fan and just give him his full attention and have a wonderful day in the stadium tour with him. And as well as that, some some other stuff from an autistic Saints fan who goes to to meet the players quite regularly and just praising how kind and patient Leo is and just genuinely gives them the time and respect. And it's it really like puts them at ease. And it's just good stuff. Just great
00:02:26
DailySaintsPod
It's no secret for for anyone who pays any attention to the football club that it will come as no surprise that these things are being said about Leo.
00:02:37
DailySaintsPod
You know, we see him give away his shirt most games and actively keep the signs and things that fans bring and give to him. And he just, he really embodies that.
00:02:51
DailySaintsPod
all of the good things that you want from, from a modern footballer. It's real proper, proper good man from, from what it seems from what we see. and it's fantastic.
Leo Sienza's Contract Rumors
00:03:07
DailySaintsPod
And, you know, with the, we mentioned the other day rumors going about, and I don't know if I've not seen it on any kind of, particularly verified sources, but rumours that he's got this release fee in his contract of about 25 million and we're sort of trying to renegotiate to to push that up because yeah it is important because obviously Leo is an an exceptional footballer who is...
00:03:31
DailySaintsPod
got the ability to create sparks of magic in a game. And we've talked about that at length and endlessly on the podcast all season, because he is, is that shining light, but we've talked on the podcast as well about the importance of the togetherness of the team and how they've come together and become this incredible unit, an incredible group of people who clearly care about each other. And I,
00:03:58
DailySaintsPod
I just don't think you can underestimate how much having a player or and a person like Leo in that group will have gone such a long way to doing that. I think it's really important for from all sorts of angles that we keep hold of him next season. that That's got to be a top priority. Um... priority.
00:04:20
DailySaintsPod
And it's just great to see. So, well done, Leo. Well done, club. Just keep in all of the vibes and all of the feelings around the club at the moment exceptionally high. And it's it's what we love to see. It's fantastic. Good stuff.
00:04:35
DailySaintsPod
Let's move into the game. That's what everyone is here for. Swansea versus Southampton.
Southampton's Winning Streak
00:04:40
DailySaintsPod
Be an interesting game because because they all are. They're all important. We talked about how every game at this point is a cup final for us and, you know, potentially charging down second place, but we can't can't give any credence or thought to that. The important part is is winning. We've got to do what we have to do. We still have to secure playoffs.
00:05:04
DailySaintsPod
And look, we quite rightly come into this game full of confidence. Our form speaks for itself.
00:05:14
DailySaintsPod
We have seven wins in a row in all competitions for the first time as a club since 1981, which is, it says it all, it's an insane statistic.
00:05:27
DailySaintsPod
Absolutely ridiculous. We are top of the league of form of the last 15 played games for all teams in Europe, which is also ridiculous. But it just goes to show the turnaround we've had and the work we've put in because...
00:05:49
DailySaintsPod
That is the whole squad the cut that has taken part in those wins, right? We have rotated and we have had players step up. Players who we didn't think would have stepped up, and we'll talk about that a bit later. But it's it's great.
00:06:04
DailySaintsPod
What a brilliant time to be Saints fan. We're on the charge, and... Yeah, it's it's the good stuff. I mentioned, obviously, chasing down second.
League Competition and Challenges
00:06:14
DailySaintsPod
A lot of the spotlight goes on Ipswich and chasing down Ipswich.
00:06:19
DailySaintsPod
Obviously, they have their game in hand. And, you know, the maths works out that if they lose another game that isn't against us and we beat them and we win all of our games, then then we can catch them and we can do it. Or if they, you know, drop the same amount of points by drawing two of their games.
00:06:39
DailySaintsPod
A lot's been said about the Ipswich run-in and how it's potentially easier, but there are no easy games in the championship. They have struggled in the last couple of games, obviously beat by Portsmouth on Tuesday. the teams they have to play are still fighting for things. That's the important part to take into account. So it doesn't matter that what they're fighting for is relegation and they're at the bottom of the table because this is a league where anyone can beat anyone. and the Because of that, the percentages of impact on things like that, the mental edge, as we've talked about earlier in season, and the the fight for survival is more crucial in in in a lot of areas. it It makes more of a difference because the quality is so compact. Anyone can genuinely beat anyone. So...
00:07:35
DailySaintsPod
it It will be good to see. i mean, if if they lose this weekend or in the week... Then our fixture against them in the week on Tuesday, the week after, really becomes a massive game.
00:07:51
DailySaintsPod
And it's it feels like it's one of those things that's written in the Stars to come, and whether it will will pass or not, I don't know. But we also have the advantage of, or to me it feels like an advantage, it feels like a mental edge, because we play on Saturday this week,
00:08:08
DailySaintsPod
may play on Sunday, and subsequently, of course, we play on Tuesday, and they play on Wednesday. So they will be feeling the pressure of us chasing them down and being right on them. And although they have that game in hand, we have the opportunity to put ourselves level on points with them at the point they start playing their game.
00:08:29
DailySaintsPod
So, you know, it's... It's squaring up to be interesting. That said, we cannot count out Millwall in this chase. They also, you know, are right there. They...
00:08:44
DailySaintsPod
They are going to be seeing it as an opportunity and seeing Ipswich starting to falter as well. Of course, they're one point ahead of us. If they win all four of their games and and the same permutations, right, they will go up automatically and we will not.
00:09:01
DailySaintsPod
So that is something to keep an eye on. This is what I mean. It's not entirely in our own hands. We could do everything within our power to do it. We could win all of our remaining games and Nips, which could drop the points they need to drop.
00:09:16
DailySaintsPod
And we still might not go up automatically because Millwall could very genuinely win all four of their last games. They've got QPR, Stoke, Leicester and Oxford.
00:09:30
DailySaintsPod
Now, Leicester and Oxford, by the time they play them, may not still be fighting for their survival.
00:09:42
DailySaintsPod
yeah It may be irrelevant at the point they play it. But, Anything can happen in football. Anything happen. they you know They don't even need to lose.
00:09:51
DailySaintsPod
right they're They've played the same amount of games as us. If we win all four and they draw one, then we overtake them. So the the pressure is truly on. And it is going to be one where it's not just the Saints score and the Saints results we are going to be watching. And that's interesting. But from our team's perspective and the players, all we they can do is just do what they need to do and focus on the game because that is what's going to be important. We cannot start becoming complacent
00:10:23
DailySaintsPod
We cannot start looking past teams. We can't look past this game and start preparing for Tuesday because when you take your eye off the ball like that in a league this competitive, it's where mistakes creep in and it's where suddenly all of this form disappears. That is the the last thing we want. We want to keep it going. we want to keep storming with this momentum.
Focus on Game-by-Game Performance
00:10:44
DailySaintsPod
And if we can keep it up, We'll just see how the cards lie. But importantly, the focus is has to be on winning the games. If we win the games, we get the playoffs irrelevant of the rest of the stuff.
00:10:57
DailySaintsPod
we can We can look at the permutations and we will follow the scorelines, but the focus is get get our part done. That's the important message. That's what Tondor will be saying to players. It's what the players coming out and saying.
00:11:09
DailySaintsPod
but just Just try and temper expectations and calm it. And I'm struggling with that. That is not where I excel. i want i want I'm already planning European away days. I don't know what to tell you. That is the the level of optimism I go for.
00:11:26
DailySaintsPod
that' The level that we we work and think about.
Reflecting on Past Match Against Swansea
00:11:30
DailySaintsPod
Moving on to our opponents then, Swansea. Zach has written some bits for me. He says that he hopes we score after the last game going down infamously.
00:11:43
DailySaintsPod
Of course, the last game against Swansea was was crazy. We had a ridiculous amount of shots. and it finished nil-nil.
00:11:54
DailySaintsPod
it was It was not good. It was painful. It was it was what became known it was what became known for at that point. we We struggled. We could not break them down. We could not score.
00:12:12
DailySaintsPod
The ball felt cursed to never go in the net, and you kind of looked at that you thought... This is going to happen a lot this season. We cannot break these teams down. We cannot get the finishing touch.
00:12:26
DailySaintsPod
And it was upsetting. We had three XG. We had 21 shots, eight of which were on target. And the game finished nel ne And yeah It was infamous and and lives long in the memory. But we are so far removed from that now. And Zach has gone on to tell us why. He says McCarthy was in goal for that for that day out at St. Mary's, which another reminder of how far we've come, how much we've changed, how much we've progressed.
00:12:59
DailySaintsPod
Cameron Archer also started
Current Team Strength and Improvement
00:13:00
DailySaintsPod
that game, and it will be interesting to see if he's earned that this time around. Look, I'll come on to my thoughts on the lineup when I get to that part, but Zach's also gone on to say Will Stills post-match is really what sums up the difference and how much of a different beast it is between then and now.
00:13:23
DailySaintsPod
And that reads from a quote from Will Steele. I couldn't be happier with the way the team's played. I think it's probably one of our best performances of the season. We've totally controlled and dominated and created so many chances.
00:13:36
DailySaintsPod
I'm really proud of what the team has shown today. We perform to a level we want to perform at. know it sounds stupid because we're missing a goal, but you can't do much more than what we have done.
00:13:46
DailySaintsPod
Apart from putting the ball in the net. that's the we We said it at the time. It's truer now than ever. The important stat is the score at the top of the page. 28, 21 shots, whatever. it It's irrelevant if they put the ball in the net. But we have developed that as the season's gone on. We've got that on the time there and I don't go into a game doubting that we are going to score. I go into a game questioning which player I'm going to put in my bet builder to score it because it just it consistently feels inevitable with the way we build, the way we attack, the way we rotate. We are a constant threat and and much more decisive even if we are creating less chances than we managed to create in that game.
00:14:29
DailySaintsPod
The chances that we do create are more effective and Yeah, that's right. We've come a long way. and And I hope that that that comes across in this game.
00:14:40
DailySaintsPod
So a bit more on Swansea and what we can expect.
Swansea's League Position and Threats
00:14:44
DailySaintsPod
Swansea currently sitting in...
00:14:48
DailySaintsPod
14th comfortably mid table in no real danger of being dragged into the relegation fight. In fact, I think it's literally mathematically impossible for them to be relegated. It's mathematically impossible for them to get to the playoffs.
00:15:05
DailySaintsPod
there is a good chance that they are on the beach and their season is done. They were comfortably mid-table. It's exactly where we predicted them to finish when we did our predictions at the start of the season. is where i imagine most Swansea fans thought they were going to finish, even if they would be hoping to push for playoffs, I think.
00:15:27
DailySaintsPod
and, and that is something to think about coming into it. Uh, that doesn't mean we can look past it and not take it seriously. There's always that threat. Uh, and,
00:15:37
DailySaintsPod
They have a threat. Their striker, uh, Viptonic is the top goal scorer in the championship at the moment. He is absolutely on fire. He is walking and talking proof that XG means absolutely nothing. It is a completely useless piece of information because he has an XG of just over 11, despite the fact that he has scored 21 goals this season.
00:16:02
DailySaintsPod
I mean, look, what that says to me is that he is scoring despite of the creativity of Swansea and not because of it. It feels like he is creating things from nothing, and that's a form that is worth being aware of.
00:16:18
DailySaintsPod
yeah Players like that all clearly create magic from nothing, and that is something we all need to be careful of because...
00:16:29
DailySaintsPod
you know Swans are going to come into this game and sure, they might be on the beach this season. They might have nothing to play for and they might not be going all guns are blazing because they haven't got that fight or desire. But they aren't going to want to get battered and they're probably going be quite happy to sit off and defend. And if they do that and nick a goal because of a piece of magic from their top goal scorer,
00:16:55
DailySaintsPod
It could be a tricky affair. right Even on the beach, we have to be prepared. It's going to be tough. People aren't going to want to play us at the moment, and so they're going to come with a play style that is designed to throw us off and make us uncomfortable, so we have to be prepared for that.
00:17:14
DailySaintsPod
Their form coming into this game is is okay. It's pretty good. They had a draw with Middlesbrough and a draw with Sheffield United, which you know shows that they are are getting results from teams that are fighting stuff and are difficult to beat. Before that, they they lost twice and they did most recently beat Leicester.
00:17:41
DailySaintsPod
So kind of a mixed bag. but like say it it they we're going to be in a position at this point where we are probably going to want it more than them and that might be enough on its own despite the the obvious form and quality we bring into it that's what what i'm hoping heading into it anyway But obviously they come into the game fresher than us. They didn't play in the week. They played last week. So that is also something to take into consideration. There'll be an interesting day out, an interesting day out at the Swansea stadium.
Unique Match Aspects and Lineup Changes
00:18:14
DailySaintsPod
I don't know. Snoop Dogg's going to be in attendance.
00:18:17
DailySaintsPod
Could be particularly strange. Look, coming to see Saints in the form they're in has got to be a hot ticket. i wouldn't be surprised if people are hitting them up for it. Look,
00:18:29
DailySaintsPod
It's not going to be an easy day out. We know that. We've got to prepare for it. So let's move in to team news and team lineups. Zach has said to me he's hoping for Azaz to be back. If not, he's happy to stick with exactly the same starting XI, but maybe swap fellows for a dozy I don't know about that. I don't know if Zach means the same starting XI last Saturday and we're on this Saturday-Tuesday trend or if he means it's a winning team at work, don't change it. But based off of Tuesday's game, I expect to see more of the same. I expect rotation.
00:19:07
DailySaintsPod
If it's as his fit, I think he will start. Leo will probably start the game. I don't expect Laren to start the game. I think Stuart will.
00:19:19
DailySaintsPod
I think Flynn Downs will come back in for Cameron Bragg. And I don't know if Charles will rotate for Yander. I'm more questionable about that. But I think i think Downs for Bragg is nailed on.
00:19:33
DailySaintsPod
I'm not so sure about the rest of it. the back line will remain unchanged because if it ain't broke, don't fix it. But we know if Jack Stevens is concerned and can't manage all of these minutes, we saw on Tuesday more minutes from Nathan Wood, who was excellent and solid.
00:19:49
DailySaintsPod
and And I've got no concerns. So, you know, if we need to rotate, we will. But I think if assuming fitness levels... obviously recording this pre-press conference because last thing on a Friday is Tonda specialty, unfortunately, but I would expect the same back line, obviously Peretz, Manning, Bree, Harvard, Bellis, Stevens,
00:20:13
DailySaintsPod
i would yeah i expect Downs to come in for Bragg. Either Charles or Yander will start alongside him, i think. If Azaz is fit, he will start.
Key Player Performances and Predictions
00:20:41
DailySaintsPod
In his appearances when he comes on, he has shown to me a desire and a willingness to do exactly the things he did on Tuesday. It's just that the times that he has been on the pitch, that is not what the game has necessarily been calling for, or he's not had the opportunity to really get hold of it because it's just been for the last 20 minutes and and, you know, the the game is done. But he was he was exceptional. We saw the quality from him.
00:21:09
DailySaintsPod
I think we a lot of us were expecting when he signed, or at least a lot of us were expecting when he got, I think don't know if it was his first goal, but it was definitely his first goal in a while when, i think it was last season in a cup game against Arsenal, when he curled one in, in the box. And at that point, I kind of thought, yes, it's going to happen. It's going to come into play, but...
00:21:32
DailySaintsPod
He's a player revitalised, you know, with the January transfer stuff clearly put behind him. He's happy he's getting minutes. He's showing that desire to get on the pitch and play. i don't hold anything against him for wanting to play more minutes. And even if moving, even if that involves moving on, right? Because that's what you want from a football player. You want your player to want to play.
00:21:55
DailySaintsPod
i But I highly respect the mentality to build himself back up and get back in and put a performance in like he did. And it doesn't surprise me in the slightest, but I am so happy for him.
00:22:06
DailySaintsPod
And he yeah, he fully deserved the man of the match, fully deserves it. and And based off of that, it might be harsh to leave him out on Saturday. But with as many games coming up as we've got, he will be getting more minutes.
00:22:19
DailySaintsPod
I don't think it's Saturday. I think Leo starts on the left. You know, making himself an option as well as a dozy is, is good. We need all of the, we're going need the entire squad.
00:22:31
DailySaintsPod
If Matsky's playing in the middle, the obvious answer on the right is Fellows. But actually, with with what I've just said in mind, I wouldn't be entirely surprised to see Cameron Archer start on the right. i know he played more on the left than coming into the middle against Blackburn.
00:22:50
DailySaintsPod
But he's a right-footed player. I think he could do a bit on the right. He was also willing to put crosses in with his left foot when he was out on the left. So just feel like with that newly found confidence, maybe he will yeah i find a use in the position this pitch. But i mean, look, let's not...
00:23:09
DailySaintsPod
beat around the bush of putting in a good performance like that in a game against blackburn is sensational and exactly what we want from him is he going to be able to replicate that in the harder matches yeah i think he will with the confidence honestly but it's not done deal you don't want to get carried away with it but yeah that's what i think i think probably fellows to start the right but maybe Archer.
00:23:35
DailySaintsPod
i don't I don't see Sammy starting on the right. He's always been on the left. I don't know. Although I suppose we did see West Brom, Sammy on the right and Leo on the left. So maybe, but,
00:23:48
DailySaintsPod
but other I don't know. We'll see. I mean, the the overall, and and of course, Stuart up front, I said earlier on, just to to round up the 11.
00:24:01
DailySaintsPod
But as always with the lineup and our predictions and how it's going to go, the the bottom line of it is at the end of the day, in Tondo we trust whatever 11 he names, I fully believe is the right 11.
00:24:14
DailySaintsPod
And and that his subs will make an impact. And what difference that is from just any manager in in any recent level of recent memory. i Don't think if we've had a manager that I can remember maybe as far back as maybe even Koeman, where you regularly look at the team sheet and go, fair enough, works for me.
00:24:38
DailySaintsPod
always wait There has always been a question for every manager as long as I can remember. And it's great to not not have that doubt anymore. Okay, so that's the predicted lineups. Let's move on to the historical data and the form.
00:24:55
DailySaintsPod
We have had... quite some games against Swansea, I think it's safe to say. On record in the data set, 19 matches.
00:25:06
DailySaintsPod
Of course, the most recent being that 0-0 draw at home earlier in the season in October. Of the 19 matches, Saints have won 11 times, only losing three and drawing five. We've had some high-scoring fairs against Swansea. Of course, in January 2025, we beat them 3-0.
00:25:25
DailySaintsPod
At St. Mary's in 2024, we beat them three one Away from home, and of course, famously, 5-0 on Boxing Day. 3-2 in 2022.
00:25:37
DailySaintsPod
it's his History says it could be a high-scoring affair. I don't know if current forms suggest that of the outcome, to be honest, but...
00:25:47
DailySaintsPod
but That's what the data says. The synopsis and the breakdown says that the numbers tilt toward goals and activity, with Swansea's home edge sharpening the picture, even as bookies favour Southampton.
00:26:01
DailySaintsPod
The goal scores... The vibes suggest both teams to score, as that happens, more than 72% of the time in the historical data.
00:26:12
DailySaintsPod
It's solid angle. Over two and a half goals, the likely outcome. It just suggests dodging a match result because it feels it hangs in the balance and could go either way.
00:26:25
DailySaintsPod
So, interesting. Not the usual 2-1 that we hear from it. But it kind of is what it is. So let's move on to what we think. Zach has, of course, provided me with a prediction heading into the game.
00:26:39
DailySaintsPod
He has picked a conservative 2-1 for him. Only because Swansea have the top goal scorer in the league. But he's hoping that more can be done.
00:26:51
DailySaintsPod
That's fair enough, I suppose. Keep that wind train rolling. Don't manage a clean sheet because it's not going to be as easy. Yeah, I could see it. I could see it What do I think? That's the question. Well, i I kind of agree with Zach. I don't think we're going to keep a clean sheet in this game.
00:27:10
DailySaintsPod
don't think that it's going to come from giving up a lot of chances. I just think they're just going to, I've just got a feeling there's going to be one moment in this game that's just going to go completely against us. And that'll probably be the only time that they sort of create anything too
00:27:56
DailySaintsPod
I think Leo will score. And I think let's have another archer goal, whether he starts or whether he comes on off the bench. Just keep that ball rolling, keep the confidence high and keep it rolling into into another important game on Tuesday. think it's going good game.
00:28:15
DailySaintsPod
Nice Saturday, three o'clock kickoff. think it's going to be good. i think the vibes going to remain the same and the chase is on. And then we can put the pressure on the other teams around us and sit back comfortably and watch how they get on and see how things unfold and how things progress.
Episode Conclusion and Listener Engagement
00:28:34
DailySaintsPod
But, you know, as I've said again and again, importantly, maintaining focus on doing the bit that we can do and getting the win. That is the important part. and so that's it. That is all that I have got time for today. So thank you so much for joining me on this match preview. Thank you for listening. Uh, let me know on the socials and in the comments, how you think the game's going to play out. Let me know your score predictions.
00:29:02
DailySaintsPod
Uh, I love hearing from you and would love to see how you think it's going to go down. We're Daily Saints Pod absolutely everywhere. x Blue Sky, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram.
00:29:15
DailySaintsPod
Hit us up. Let us know. We'll be back, though, after the game to talk about it, however it goes down. And I can't wait until then. But until then, everyone, I hope you have the best weekend.
00:29:33
DailySaintsPod
I hope you enjoy it to the maximum. We will see you on the other side, but most importantly, come on, you saints.