FORMER Saints midfielder David Prutton has backed his old club to get a big win on Saturday lunchtime when they host Birmingham City at St Mary’s.

Prutton, who played for Southampton between 2003 and 2007, expects Wayne Rooney’s Birmingham City side to lose their third straight game.

Rooney took over after former boss John Eustace was sacked, despite the Midlands side sitting in the Championship play-off positions at the time.

The ex-England striker will want to pick up his first win at the club after his controversial appointment.

Speaking on the weekly Sky Sports Championship predictions podcast, Prutton explained why he thinks Saints will come away with a 2-1 victory.

He said: “Usually any point earned in the last minute is a good one, but the top two are setting such a pace this season that Southampton need to go on a winning run, or it will be play-offs at best.

“It has gone sour quite quickly under Wayne Rooney at Birmingham. It is so early in his tenure, but you can understand why considering the nature of his appointment.

“He had to hit the ground running, and he has not. I think it will be another defeat here as well.”

Southampton have picked up four points in extraordinary circumstances this week, and they will perhaps be hoping for a more routine result this time around.

Ryan Fraser’s stoppage time winner in the 2-1 win against Hull City last weekend was possibly topped on the dramatic scale by what happened on Wednesday.

Gavin Bazunu’s flick-on led to Ched Evans diverting the ball into his own net to earn Saints a point in a thrilling 2-2 draw at Deepdale against Preston North End.

If the 42-year-old’s prediction is to come true then that would keep Saints very much in the promotion reckoning and also complete a very impressive week for the club.