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Telegraph
06-04-2025
- Sport
- Telegraph
Southampton's cursed season no surprise, they play on top of a Saxon burial ground
There are lots of theories about where it all went wrong for Southampton this season. Was it persisting with Russell Martin or misidentifying his replacement in Ivan Jurić? Was the recruitment poor or have they never recovered from an early season run of bad luck? Most plausibly, are they just the latest victims of the gap between the Championship and Premier League which has become less of a step up, more of a 10-storey escalator? All of this and more has combined to relegate Southampton after their 3-1 defeat to Spurs on Sunday. That makes them the first team ever to go down with seven matches still to play, an ignominy which even the historically awful Derby County side of 2007-08 did not suffer. Southampton are still one draw away from matching Derby's record low points total of 11, stuck on just 10 for the season. Perhaps there is one under-explored explanation for this sorry state, and it is straight out of an episode of Scooby-Doo. St Mary's was built over the site of a Saxon burial ground. The stadium lies on the north-east side of what was Hamwic, a busy manufacturing and trading town from the late 7th to mid-9th century. The site was excavated by Wessex Archaeology before construction began and there were discoveries of small-scale craft and industries plus weapons but also complete bodies and cremated remains. Not ideal for a club seeking a fresh start, nor this summary of the area from the archaeological study: 'Overall the picture of Hamwic is of a rather dirty, polluted, and unhealthy settlement, pockmarked with rubbish and cesspits, where disease and parasitic infection were daily hazards.' Hardly the optimal conditions for Jason Dodd to work his magic. Taking no chances, then-chairman Rupert Lowe said 'the stadium was blessed by all the denominations at the first game'. That was in August 2001 in the Premier League but Southampton did not win in their new home until that November. There was much talk then of the curse of St Mary's, and the long (six-game) wait for a first home victory. That all seems rather quaint given their abject current season, with just two wins to date with only one at home, 1-0 over Everton in November. Yet this must be put into proper historical context. It was not so long ago that Southampton were relegated to the third tier. They began a two-year spell in League One in 2009 on minus 10 points for entering administration, with fears for the future of the club. Nevertheless, club historian Duncan Holley is in no doubt about how this campaign will be remembered. 'This is definitely our worst season of all time. 'To be relegated really by Christmas is quite a shocking thing to contemplate. A lot of us thought we'd struggle this season with the way modern football is, but the depressing thing is we've not even put up a fight. 'In the 1990s we were perennially fighting relegation, but we always had a couple of good players, most notably Matt Le Tissier, who always managed to produce something that got us out of bother, usually on the last day. Life was fairly enjoyable. It was a stressful way to play football, but we kept getting away with it. There was definitely something about the Dell, we were small but fervent. It was intimidating.' When St Mary's opened there was coverage of the Saxon site but also plenty of interest in a rumour that mischievous Portsmouth-supporting builders had planted their team's shirt underneath the pitch. Holley does not put too much stock in either of these supposed hexes. 'As soon as you start off on the wrong foot people start blaming Saxon curses. You'd be hard-pushed to build anything in downtown Southampton without infringing an old Saxon site. The stadium's 50 yards from the waterfront, you're building on old land.' Does the club feel cursed? 'I don't think so. You always expect to get beaten in the big matches, but then I think a lot of clubs have that anyway.'
New York Times
07-03-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Liverpool vs Southampton betting preview and predictions: A goal-fest, or a shut-out?
It seems counterintuitive to suggest that a title favourite like Liverpool and a relegation candidate like Southampton could produce a wager-worthy game. The Reds' odds to win the tie are a paltry 2/15, while their opponents, this weekend's underdogs, are weighing in at a staggering 20/1. Whether you risk a lot to win a little or a small return in a vain attempt to win big, it's probably best to avoid this clash and wait for more enticing odds. Advertisement Or is it? There is an alternative, more intriguing, rabbit hole to explore. The lopsided nature of this clash could pave the way for more enticing markets to punt on – you just need to know where to look. Below, we dissect three areas where hidden betting values may exist. For more stories like this click here to follow The Athletic's sports betting section and have them added to your feed. Very few fanbases – bar Arsenal's – head into the game caring about how often the ball sits near the corner flag. They just want their side to score more goals than their opponent. But in fixtures like this, the number of corners – or lack of them in this case – might have good value. For the Saints, the statistics paint a bleak picture. They have the league's worst expected goal differential (xGD) per 90 minutes and week on week, face a barrage of shots at their goal. And yet, Ivan Jurić's side only allow 6.22 corners per game, while the Reds have let in the third least at 4.04 per 90. Combine those two numbers, and you'll barely squeeze it under the 10.5 corners market, which Betfair are pricing at 5/4; it might seem like limited value, but recent results make this contextually relevant. Liverpool are still reeling from their 1-0 Champions League Round of 16 win over PSG. Their hosts suffocated Arne Slot's counter-press, racking up a eye-opening 2.58xG. Still, somehow, between an 87th-minute Harvey Elliot decider, and an insurmountable Alisson Becker between the sticks, the Parisians could not turn their hopes into reality. The Reds' came out victorious, but the consequence of emptying the proverbial tank so early in the week could have interesting ramifications. For instance, Liverpool's usual aggressive pressing and ability to force turnovers may be blunted to conserve energy in the Saints' final third. Advertisement It's interesting to note that even though the visitors put up a fight in a narrow 3-2 defeat against Liverpool in November, they only mustered three corners. The 13 total corners in that match were largely a result of Liverpool scrambling to secure a win against a side not yet destined for the drop. If Slot's juggernauts get a goal early on, this return match could be a passive pass-fest. If Liverpool lack the same urgency to force the ball into the box for shots and deflections that typically lead to corner kicks, the under 10.5 corners option appears quite appealing. A relegation-bound Southampton certainly won't mind either. In games like this, it's easy to get caught scrolling through Liverpool's anytime goalscorer odds or a lucrative team-over-total pricing. However, an often-overlooked strategy is to avoid how the favourites will hammer the back of the net and instead focus on their opponents doing the opposite. After all, who wants to wager against goals in a game between the best and worst side in the league? Case in point: as an overarching market, the Merseysiders' chance of winning the game weighed in at 2/15. But, if you throw in a clean sheet, they increase to 11/10. Nifty. Is this likely to pan out against the Saints given Liverpool's recent defensive problems, especially considering how vulnerable their backline looked against PSG? Well, yes, Allison had to stand on his head to secure the clean sheet, but there's one glaringly obvious difference between that showdown and this one: Southampton are not PSG. In the three matches leading up to the game against Luis Enrique's team, Liverpool did not allow more than 0.6 expected goals (xG) in any match. In fact, they conceded only a total of 1.4 xG across those games, even when facing strong teams like Manchester City, Aston Villa, and Newcastle. Trying to predict exactly how much an underdog will be dominated can be a tall order. Over/under bets, team goal totals or even anytime goalscorers can be a toss-up in one-sided affairs. If you are convinced the favourite will win but can't pinpoint by how much, scoring bands or correct score combinations can provide good value while giving you leeway in the outcome. Sometimes, the odds are generous enough to sprinkle a little on a few different bets. Advertisement For instance, Liverpool to win 1-0, 2-0 or 3-0 is priced at 13/5 on Betfair. If you're worried the Saints might knick a goal in an imbalanced loss, the 2-1, 3-1, 4-1 Liverpool win combination – rolling in at 11/4 – could also be insightful. Those odds are good enough that you can place a wager on both lines, gain six score combinations within the projected range of outcomes and still manage a small profit. The alternative? A paltry 2/15 payout on the Liverpool moneyline – the low-value kind that bookmakers want you to bet. (Photo credit: Dan Mullan / AFP via Getty Images)
Yahoo
08-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Paultons reopening, Saints in cup action and other family fun this weekend
Chinese New Year celebrations, Paultons reopening, Saints in FA Cup action and more. Here's our pick of five of the best of the many things to do for some family fun in Hampshire on Saturday and Sunday (February 8 and 9). In Guildhall Square... (Image: NQ) The Hampshire Chinese Association and other community groups will be putting on free cultural performances in Guildhall Square between 12pm and 1.30pm on Saturday. This will involve a Dragon Parade, a traditional lion dance as well as family-friendly games. Additionally, Mayflower Studios will be hosting a 'Chinese New Year Celebration Extravaganza Live'. Attendees will be able to see the Beijing Opera, traditional dance and singing, a Kung Fu show and much more. This will take place from 3pm to 5.30pm with tickets available on the Mayflower website. At Paultons Park... (Image: Paultons Park) Missing your Paultons fix? The park reopens for 2025 on Saturday. Get ready for a new season of fun with more than 70 exciting rides and attractions, set within 140 acres of parkland, including the UK's only Peppa Pig World. Enjoy rollercoasters, thrill rides, family rides, indoor and outdoor play areas, water splash parks, entertainments and an astonishing collection of animals. At St Mary's Stadium... (Image: Richard Crease) Saints host Burnley in the Emirates FA Cup fourth round on Saturday at 3pm. Ivan Jurić's first win in charge saw his side get the better of Championship outfit Swansea with a 3-0 win, teeing up a meeting with the Clarets, who sit second in the Championship table, just two league places below Southampton Scott Parker's side needed extra-time to get past League One Reading in the last round. At Mayflower Theatre... (Image: Mayflower Theatre) Birmingham Royal Ballet's Cinderella is an enchanting fairytale and a glorious celebration of ballet. Step into the magical world of Cinderella, where Fairy Godmothers triumph over cruel stepmothers, pumpkins turn into sparkling carriages and a jewelled slipper changes one young woman's life forever. This timeless story of love, courage and kindness reminds us all to have faith in our wildest dreams; one day they might just come true. Praised by audiences and critics alike, former Company Director David Bintley's Cinderella is a sure-fire mix of wonderful dance, spectacular scenery, and a cast of characters that include mice, lizards and even a dancing frog – something to capture every imagination. It runs until Saturday night. At Beaulieu... (Image: Beaulieu) A new exhibition at the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu from Sunday will explore hidden histories and signpost a way forward for more inclusivity in motorsport. The Museum has worked with Racing Pride to showcase LGBTQ+ heritage and achievement in motorsport – a fascinating part of the history of motoring in Britain. LGBTQ+ people have always been part of motorsport, but their stories have all too often been hidden rather than celebrated. This exhibition shines a light on the unique personal journeys of LGBTQ+ individuals across motorsport disciplines from early trailblazers such as Roberta Cowell to heroes and role-models who are racing today. Racing Pride: Celebrating the LGBTQ community in motorsport is in the In Focus Gallery at the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu until Sunday September 7.
