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Rotherham vs Southampton predictions: Saints to make Millers suffer early
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Steve Davies
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Rotherham will hope they can make home advantage count against Southampton
Rotherham will hope they can make home advantage count against Southampton

- Rotherham have won only three times all season 
- Southampton are unbeaten in 22 matches 
- Recommended bet: Southampton/Southampton half-time/full-time

Rotherham's sorry campaign looks more and more like it is going to end in relegation from the Championship, and they are expected to struggle when they host Southampton.

Saints are simply unstoppable at the moment, having not lost a game since September as they seek an instant return to the Premier League.

Millers' fans remember their side securing an unlikely 1-1 draw at St Mary's earlier in the season and would take a repeat of that scoreline.

Team news

New United signings, midfielder Andy Rinomhota from Cardiff, right-back Femi Sirike from Sheffield United and striker Charlie Wyke from Wigan will be pushing for starts.

None of the Millers' several long-term injured are due back, while left wing-back Cohen Bramall must be a major doubt with an ankle problem.

Winger Sam Edozie is fit again for Southampton after a month off to challenge either Ryan Fraser or Adam Armstrong for a starting place.

The stats

Rotherham have managed only three league wins this season, while no team has scored more than two goals at the New York Stadium in any of Rotherham's last 19 matches in all competitions.

The Millers average a divisional low of 7.5 shots per game compared to Southampton, who average a divisional high of 15.9.

The Saints are unbeaten in their last 22 matches in all competitions. They last failed to find the net in an away game in the Championship on September 2.

When the sides met at St Mary's in October, the match ended 1-1 despite Southampton having enjoyed 80 per cent possession.

Southampton are unbeaten since September under manager Russell Martin
Southampton are unbeaten since September under manager Russell Martin

Prediction

In a few months, there may well be two divisions separating Rotherham from Southampton, and that gulf ought to be obvious at the New York Stadium.

Granted, the Millers might be atrocious travellers, but they are closer to respectable at home, where 15 of their 19 points have been compiled.

The truth is, however, that while they will be gutsy and set up not to lose under Leam Richardson, they are virtually impotent; in their last three games, they have managed just three shots on target.

Saints have landed half-time/full-time honours in six of their last nine outings in all competitions, and given how much they will dominate the ball; they average 67 per cent possession compared to Rotherham's 34, it is hard to see how the Millers will be able to land any blows.

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ChampionshipRotherhamSouthampton
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