Relegation battling Southampton meet Bournemouth in a crucial Premier League clash at St Mary’s Stadium.
Victory could see Southampton move off the foot of the table if Nottingham Forest lose on Wednesday evening, whilst Bournemouth could improve to 14th depending upon results elsewhere.
Team News
Jan Bednarek is doubtful for Southampton after he was substituted with a head injury during their 3-3 draw at Arsenal last weekend, which meant obeying concussion protocols.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles could return after he was ineligible for the Saints’ trip to Arsenal.
Mohamed Salisu (hip), Che Adams (calf), Valentino Livramento (muscle) and Juan Larios (adductor) remain absent.
Bournemouth will be without defender, Jack Stephens who is ineligible to face his parent club, due to league rules concerning loan deals.
Joe Rothwell is a doubt after he suffered a hamstring injury during Sunday’s defeat at home to West Ham.
Hamed Traore (foot) could return but Ryan Fredericks (calf) and Junior Stanislas (unspecified) remain absent.
When is Kick-Off?
Southampton host Bournemouth in a 7:45pm BST kick-off at St Mary’s Stadium on Thursday 27 April, live on BT Sport 3 in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Southampton are unbeaten in four of their last five league meetings against Bournemouth (W2, D2, L1).
- Bournemouth have won just one of their last five visits to Southampton (W1, D2, L2).
- Southampton have kept clean sheets in their last three meetings against Bournemouth in all competitions (W3), albeit all away from home.
- Ruben Selles’ Saints have conceded 11 goals in their last four home matches (D1, L3).
- Bournemouth are looking to win three consecutive away games for the first time in the Premier League.
Prediction
Currently sat just five points from safety, Southampton really must take this opportunity to further reignite any hopes of survival because they were absolutely excellent in their attacking press at Arsenal, especially in terms of questioning the defence’s confidence and ability.
Their own defence however was sloppy in the marking of all three conceded goals but fair credit must be given to them for how they defended in the closing stages, in order to snatch a vital draw which they must use as a launchpad to further improve coming into this game.
Bournemouth meanwhile were totally outclassed by West Ham in comparison to their recently improved performances, with very little quality end product offered up front whenever they got on the attack amidst some awful defensive marking especially from set pieces.
A win for the Cherries though would surely all but secure survival although they have never strung together three away wins in the Premier League, whereas Southampton will be up for this in front of their home fans after a gutsy display in North London.
I am therefore expecting a competitive game but if the Saints play like they did at Arsenal, they might just have the edge and blow the relegation fight wide open once more.
Prediction: Southampton 2-1 Bournemouth
Result: Southampton 0-1 Bournemouth
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