Southampton vs. Burnley: Preview and predictions
By Marc Walker
Southampton return to St. Mary’s on Saturday to face Burnley on matchday 11 of the Premier League season.
Burnley have made an impressive start to their campaign and sit in seventh place; three places and three points above Saints in 10th. Their form and the way that they stayed up last season has led to strong links being made between manager Sean Dyche and the vacant Everton job.
Southampton have taken 13 points from a possible 30 so far this season, while Burnley have 16 points from their ten games. Both sides have similar goal-scoring and goals against records. Saints have scored nine goals and conceded ten, whilst Burnley have scored nine and conceded nine.
Saints’ home form has seen them win two games, draw two and lose two. Burnley’s away form has seen them win two, draw two and lose one; this is made even more impressive when considering Dyche’s side have already travelled to Chelsea, Spurs, Liverpool, Everton and Man City in those games.
The Burnley players and staff will arrive on the south-coast in a buoyant mood having won their last match one-nil at home to Newcastle. Saints, although unbeaten in three, have yet to really hit top form this season and have put in some less than convincing displays.
Southampton will again be without midfielder Mario Lemina, who will remain on the sidelines until after the international break. Charlie Austin is fit to return to the matchday squad.
Burnley welcome back top scorer Chris Wood as he returned to training this week following injury, and striker Nakhi Wells is also in contention.
Why Southampton will win
If Southampton can get ahead in the game, their defensive resilience could be enough to see them home. They also have a good recent home record against Burnley, winning 3-1 last season and 2-0 in the 2014/15 season.
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Burnley are also likely to be willing to play a slightly more open game than Saints’ last home match against West Brom, and this could play into the hands of the home side’s attacking players.
Why Burnley will win
Burnley will be incredibly well disciplined, and that coupled with the great team spirit that Sean Dyche has knitted his team together with could help them win the game. Frustrate Saints and their home crowd and the game could swing their way.
Set pieces are also a huge factor in Burnley’s style, and the Saints defenders will have to be on guard at all times to make sure their opponents don’t gain an advantage through them.
Team predictions
Southampton
Goalkeeper: Fraser Forster
Defence: Cedric Soares, Virgil van Dijk, Wesley Hoedt, Ryan Bertrand
Midfield: Oriol Romeu, James Ward-Prowse, Steven Davis, Sofiane Boufal
Strikers: Manolo Gabbiadini, Shane Long
Burnley
Goalkeeper: Tom Pope
Defence: Matt Lowton, James Tarkowski, Ben Mee, Stephen Ward
Midfield: Johann Berg Gudmundsson, Steven Defour, Jack Cork, Jeff Hendrick, Robbie Brady
Strikers: Chris Wood
Verdict
Both sides have been solid defensively this season, and this game could be another low-scoring affair at St. Mary’s.
However, in recent seasons Saints have been able to gradually break Burnley down. If they are able to get the first goal, Burnley will open up more and Saints can take advantage.