Bournemouth vs. Southampton: Preview & predictions
Southampton play their third league game in eight days on Sunday afternoon, making the short trip across The New Forest to visit the Vitality Stadium to take on Bournemouth at 1:30pm.
The Saints are hoping to bounce back from a spirited loss at the hands of Manchester City on Wednesday night.
Despite the defeat, there has been serious signs of improvement from Pellegrino’s men in the past week, putting four goals past Everton before the game at the Etihad – which was won in the 96th minute by a Raheem Sterling strike.
This weekend though, they take on the Cherries in what is ironically names ‘El ClassiCoast’. It is expected that Southampton will return to their favoured 4-2-3-1 formation, expecting to be on the front foot a bit more than against the expected champions.
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With both teams looking to break away from the pack near the relegation zone and closing the gap on the top eight places, it is a relatively high stakes game for both managers. With other fixtures in the league meaning a loss could drag them back in to the scrap at the bottom.
Bournemouth recently went under a slight resurgence, after a shocking start to the season they have managed to get to 14 points, 4 clear of the relegation zone. Eddie how has reverted back to his tried and trusted players that got him promoted to grind out results he needs to give them a bit of comfort going into games now.
For the second season in a row, this fixture comes with some confusion. Due to both the home and away kits for both teams being deemed ‘too similar’. Southampton will have to wear a special all-white top that made an appearance in the same fixture last season, when Jay Rodriguez score twice in a 3-1 win.
Why Bournemouth will win
Bournemouth have electric pace upfront, with the return of Wilson and the enigmatic Jordan Ibe coming into some kind of form, add that to the ever dangerous Josh King and you are looking at an attack that can counter at a rapid rate. Something that may choose to utilise against a Southampton team that will want to enjoy possession throughout the game.
They have some steel in the centre of midfield, the combative Harry Arter and Andrew Surman will always give 100% for the cause and prove a match for even the best in the league when on song.
This is deemed a ‘South Coast Derby’, despite fans arguing the case for either side. The players will feed on the fans atmosphere and could turn it into a fiery affair, that neither team want to lose.
Why Southampton will win
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Southampton have improved a lot in terms of performances in the last two games – brushing aside Everton with ease. Despite Everton being extremely poor, the confidence the players gained was evident in the valiant effort against Man City. Despite their efforts, the result ended in a loss.
The positives that can be taken from the performance should help Southampton go into this game knowing a similar performance and workrate will surely see them leave with all 3 points.
Pellegrino has some selection headaches, Gabbiadini hasn’t featured much of late and Austin has scored two in his last start. Lemina returned to impress against City, as did Romeu. With so many games in a short space of time and more to come in the very near future, it is essential MoPe managed his players fitness and sharpness to ensure the best results possible.
Predicted Line Ups
Southampton:
Fraser Forster
Jeremy Pied, Wesley Hoedt, Virgil van Dijk, Ryan Bertrand
Oriol Romeu, Mario Lemina
James Ward-Prowse, Dusan Tadic, Sofiane Boufal
Charlie Austin
Bournemouth
Asmir Begovic,
Simon Francis, Steve Cook, Nathan Ake, Charlie Daniels
Ryan Fraser, Andrew Surman, Harry Arter, Marc Pugh
Josh King, Callum Wilson
Verdict
Southampton can go into this game confident they can take the points back home. A significantly better squad than their south coast counterparts and slightly better form. Eddie Howe will not want to lose this game and Southampton can feed off that fear and put Bournemouth to the sword in a comfortable win.