Southampton v Middlesbrough: Preview and predictions
By Chris Hughes
This weekend Claude Puel faces a must-win fixture in charge of Southampton, as they face an already-relegated Middlesbrough.
In the month that’s passed since Easter weekend there’s no denial that Southampton have performed shockingly. Two goalless draws and three losses have followed, and hopes of an eighth-placed finish are slipping between the players’ fingers.
As a result Claude Puel’s job is seemingly on the line, meaning a win this weekend is something of a necessity. In Southampton’s way are Middlesbrough, who last Monday saw themselves relegated back to the Championship at the first attempt.
Boro’s issue was not leaking goals but scoring them, with their total of 26 so far the worst in the entire league.
But Southampton have been shooting blanks in front of goal themselves as of late, having not scored in over 270 minutes of football. However the game provides a perfect setting for the Saints to bounce back.
In December Sofiane Boufal was the different between the two sides when his wonder-strike gave Puel’s side the lead in the 53rd minute. A moment of magic like that would be most welcomed by the Southampton fans.
Why Southampton will win
No matter how unlucky a team may seem, you don’t relegated for a few bad performances. Boro have been generally lackluster for the entire campaign and Southampton should be able to counter that.
If they play with intent and enthusiasm like they did in the first half against Arsenal then they should be able to break down Middlesbrough’s defensive barriers.
Their back-four don’t possess a great amount of pace meaning both the Saints’ full-backs and wide midfielders should be able to do damage out wide. Failing that Manolo Gabbiadini’s runs between the centre-back and full-back should prove difficult for the out-of-form side to stop.
Why Middlesbrough will win
In short, they have nothing to play for. Having been relegated in the game-week before, Sunderland showed a clinical edge against Hull City next weekend, meaning there’s no reason why we couldn’t see a similar scenario play out here.
Without the pressure of worrying about going down anymore, Boro’s players could go out there with more freedom and as a result create what they couldn’t all season.
Furthermore, Alvaro Negredo could prove a tricky customer for Southampton’s defence. Neither Maya Yoshida nor Jack Stephens possess great natural strength, and that could play into the Spaniard’s hands. Expect him to be attempting a lot of one-touch shots or headers off crosses.
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Predicted Line-ups
Southampton:
Goalkeeper: Fraser Forster
Defence: Ryan Bertrand, Maya Yoshida, Jack Stephens, Cedric
Midfielders: Steven Davis, Oriol Romeu – Sofiane Boufal, Dusan Tadic, Nathan Redmond
Striker: Manolo Gabbiadini
Middlesbrough:
Goalkeeper: Brad Guzan
Defence: George Friend, Callum Chambers, Ben Gibson, Fabio
Midfielders: Adam Clayton, Martin De Roon – Adama Traore, Stewart Downing, Adam Forshaw
Striker: Alvaro Negredo
Prediction
With Middlesbrough having nothing to play for I expect them to come and surprise Southampton. However with the quality in the side I expect the Saints to be able to come back and hold on.
Boro 1-2 Southampton