Liverpool vs Southampton: Mo Salah can sparkle for rested Reds against Saints
The Merseysiders have a strong recent home record against the south coast side and their top scorer can make hay on Saturday.
When: Saturday, May 8, 20:15 BST
How to watch: Sky Sports Main Event
Best bets
Saints have injury concerns
Of course, it would need something of a miracle from third-bottom Fulham to overhaul the 10-point gap, but Southampton's battling 1-1 draw with Leicester shows they're still focused.
One of the big reasons for Saints' slide down the table has been the drop off in their away form. They've lost five of their last six road trips in the Premier League, tasting defeat at Leeds, Everton, Man City, West Brom and Spurs.
What's more, they go in Saturday evening's game without a plethora of regulars. Danny Ings, Ryan Bertrand, Oriol Romeu and Will Smallbone are set to miss out through injury while on-loan Liverpool star Takumi Minamino is ineligible.
Last three meetings:
Southampton 1-0 Liverpool (January 04, 2021)
It was quite an image: Ralph Hasenhuttl sinking to his knees in tears after finally beating one of his managerial heroes.
Jurgen Klopp's men actually finished the match still top of the table, but it was a sign of things to come.
Liverpool 4-0 Southampton (February 01, 2021)
A 20th straight home victory was secured with four second-half goals after the visitors had kept the hosts at bay during the opening 45.
Former Southampton star Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain fired in the first before skipper Jordan Henderson doubled the lead on the hour mark. Mo Salah scored twice in the final 20 minutes to wrap up another routine win.
Southampton 1-2 Liverpool (August 17, 2019)
Sadio Mane scored against his ex-club with a superb finish on the stroke of half-time before setting up Roberto Firmino to slot home a second with 19 minutes remaining.
Head-to-head - last 10 meetings
Liverpool wins: 6
Draws: 1
Southampton wins: 3
Liverpool scored: 17
Southampton scored: 5
Liverpool hopes of top four starting to disappear
In short, Liverpool's chances of a top four finish are fading. They're now 2/1 to land a Champions League slot which equates to a 66% chance that they won't.
One added problem is that their bid to gain momentum was halted by the cancellation of last weekend's game against Manchester United. That allowed Leicester to move nine clear of the Reds, while Chelsea pulled seven in front. West Ham have a four-point advantage although Liverpool have a game in hand on all three.
A possible positive spin is that the rearranged game at Old Trafford comes just two days after United play Lecester, so the hosts could be jaded.
Hope therefore still remains, but it's out of Liverpool's hands for now.
Liverpool's last five results:
Scoreline prediction: Liverpool 3-0 Southampton
Best Goalscorer bets
Salah (20 goals) is one behind Harry Kane in the race for the Golden Boot and it's a prize he values highly.