Preston vs Southampton predictions: Saints set to head into play-offs with win
Aidan Perkins
Southampton are confirmed in the Championship play-offs
Preston are 12th but could finish as high as 10th
Recommended bet: Southampton to win @ 19/20 with LiveScore Bet
Southampton have secured a play-off place in the Championship and will now want to go into the extra end-of-season games with momentum by beating mid-table Preston on the final day of the regular season on Saturday.
Saints were closing in on a stunning FA Cup semi-final win over Manchester City last weekend when they took the lead at Wembley in the second half, only for the Premier League giants to recover in the latter stages.
However, it has still been a fine second half of the season for the south coast club, who have given themselves a shot at going straight back up to the Premier League through the play-offs thanks to an impressive run of form in the second tier.
The midweek draw at Ipswich confirmed their place in the top six, while PNE, in contrast, have been labouring to a mid-table finish for the past few weeks.
The latest Preston vs Southampton odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Team news
Jamal Lewis, Callum Lang and Ali McCann are all still out for Preston. For Southampton, Jack Stephens is unlikely to feature, but could be fit for the play-offs, while Kuryu Matsuki is a major doubt. Alex McCarthy and Mads Roerslev remain out long-term for Saints.
The stats
Preston have lost two of their last three games and North End have won just one of their last six at Deepdale.
Southampton have only lost two league games in 2026 – both in January.
Between January 21 and the midweek draw at Ipswich, Saints won 14 times in the Championship.
Seven places (5th-12th) and 17 points (77-60) separate the two teams in the table going into the final weekend.
Preston won the reverse fixture at St Mary's in November 2-0.
The latest Preston vs Southampton odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Prediction
Southampton's season could yet end on a glorious high with promotion back to the Premier League through the play-offs and they have enjoyed a highly satisfactory 2026 so far, even though they were finally knocked out of the FA Cup by Manchester City last weekend.
Tonda Eckert's side have been one of the form teams across the whole professional pyramid since the turn of the year and they should end the regular season with a comfortable win at Deepdale.
From there, they can take more momentum into the end-of-season games as they eye a top-flight return.
Preston, on the other hand, have done more than enough to stay up but any promotion bid fizzled out several weeks ago and they must soon rest and reassess their aims and ambitions for yet another Championship season to come.
Their home form has been a concern lately – Paul Heckingbottom's side have won just one of their last six games on their own patch – and they do not look capable of stopping a Southampton side who will want to maintain their high standards well into May.
Score prediction - Preston 1-3 Southampton
