2019-20 Premier League: Week 21 – Southampton vs Tottenham

Southampton look to finish a solid festive fortnight on a high as they welcome Tottenham Hotspur to St Mary’s Stadium. 

A win for Southampton will move them further up towards the top ten, whilst Tottenham can go fifth for at least a few hours if they take victory.

 

Team news

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Southampton have no fresh injury concerns to report from Saturday’s 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace.

Shane Long (knee) and Yan Valery (infection) are ruled out but could be available within the next fortnight. 

Tottenham could welcome the midfield duo of Harry Winks and Moussa Sissoko back from suspension, which kept them out of Spurs’ 2-2 draw at Norwich on Saturday. 

Son Heung-Min is serving the last of a three match ban whilst Hugo Lloris (elbow), Danny Rose (muscle) and Ben Davies (ankle) are all ruled out. 

 

Stat Attack

• Southampton have taken four points from their last five meetings with Tottenham (W1, D1, L3). 
• Both teams have scored in each of their last eight meetings. 
• Southampton have averaged a point from each of their last five home games against Spurs (W1, D2, L2). 
• Jose Mourinho have lost just one of 13 previous clashes against Southampton in all competitions as a manager (W7, D5, L1), although he has taken 12 points from six previous trips to St Mary’s with two different clubs – Chelsea and Manchester United (W3, D3). 
• Southampton have taken just one point from three home meetings with members of the ‘Big Six’ this season, drawing 1-1 against Man Utd plus defeats against Liverpool and Chelsea in which they scored in each of those games. 

 

Prediction

After enjoying a solid festive fortnight, Southampton surely have to fancy their chances here because Tottenham are still vulnerable defensively as Norwich exposed on several occasions. 

Southampton however the more suitable gameplay needed to outscore Spurs because if the visitors turn up with the same sloppy play of recent games, I can’t see them being a match for Southampton apart from a few good spells here and there. 

Southampton therefore should win this if they turn up and play like they did at Chelsea on Boxing Day, although Tottenham will likely nick a goal.

Prediction: Southampton 2-1 Tottenham Hotspur

Result: Southampton 1-0 Tottenham Hotspur