2020-21 FA Cup: Quarter Finals – Bournemouth vs Southampton

Bournemouth welcome South Coast rivals, Southampton to the Vitality Stadium in the Quarter-Finals of 2020-21 FA Cup.

Victory would see Bournemouth reach the semi-finals for the very first time, whereas Southampton are bidding to reach the last four for a second time in last four seasons.

 

Team News

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Diego Rico could return for Bournemouth after recovering from a groin injury.

Lloyd Kelly (adductor), Junior Stanislas (hamstring), Lewis Cook (knee), Shane Long (ineligible), Adam Smith and David Brooks (both ankle) are absent.

Southampton have no fresh injury concerns to report as Danny Ings, Theo Walcott (both muscle), Oriol Romeu (ankle), Will Smallbone (knee) and Michael Obafemi (unspecified) remain absent.

 

Stat Attack

• Bournemouth won their only previous FA Cup tie against Southampton, prevailing 3-1 in a First Round replay in November 1953 after first leg finished 1-1 at The Dell.
• Southampton are unbeaten in their last four trips to the Vitality Stadium (W2, D2), albeit in the Premier League.
• One of Bournemouth’s eight FA Cup goals this season have come from the penalty spot, courtesy of Junior Stanislas in 2-0 win at Burnley in Fifth Round.
• Southampton are yet to concede in this season’s FA Cup.
• Martin Atkinson is refereeing a cup game involving Bournemouth and Southampton this season for the first time.

 

Prediction

This is Bournemouth’s third consecutive home game in seven days and having seen defensive errors cost them against Barnsley last Saturday, the Cherries will be confident coming into this game off the back of a clinical yet confident midweek win over a subdued Swansea.

Southampton meanwhile enter this derby off the back of losing their home derby against Brighton last Sunday, in which they were often defensively sloppy across the pitch and wasted their attacks when able to push forward.

Defending therefore feels like it could be key but if Bournemouth can dig in and make life tricky for Southampton, I expect this to potentially go to extra time if not penalties but something in me says a cupset is on the cards.

Prediction: Bournemouth 2-1 Southampton (AET)

Result: Bournemouth 0-3 Southampton