Saints Marching
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Crystal Palace vs Southampton 01/09/18: Opposition threat

By Harry Tizard

WATFORD, ENGLAND - AUGUST 26: Wilfried Zaha of Crystal Palace celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the Premier League match between Watford FC and Crystal Palace at Vicarage Road on August 26, 2018 in Watford, United Kingdom. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
WATFORD, ENGLAND - AUGUST 26: Wilfried Zaha of Crystal Palace celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the Premier League match between Watford FC and Crystal Palace at Vicarage Road on August 26, 2018 in Watford, United Kingdom. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) /
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WATFORD, ENGLAND – AUGUST 26: Christian Benteke of Crystal Palace is challenged by Etienne Capoue of Watford during the Premier League match between Watford FC and Crystal Palace at Vicarage Road on August 26, 2018 in Watford, United Kingdom. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
WATFORD, ENGLAND – AUGUST 26: Christian Benteke of Crystal Palace is challenged by Etienne Capoue of Watford during the Premier League match between Watford FC and Crystal Palace at Vicarage Road on August 26, 2018 in Watford, United Kingdom. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) /

Christian Benteke

Belgian international Christian Benteke is the sort of striker that recurs in the nightmares of the Saints defence and the on watching Southampton supporters. Similar to players such as Olivier Giroud and Glen Murray, the former Liverpool mans game usually revolves around crosses into the box to his head to score, and also help setting up attacking moves from holding up the ball and passing it off – playing the target man role in the eagles front line.

Despite having a poor 2017/18 campaign, only notching 3 goals in 31 league appearances – his premier league record since the 2012/13 season is not one that should be looked over. In just under 200 club appearances, the former Genk player has scored 70 goals and set up a further 18.

Combined with what was said previous, Saints fans know the Belgian all too well – with the current Palace man scoring against the south coast side for three different Premier league clubs (Crystal Palace, Liverpool, and Aston Villa).

It could be considered the St.Marys side defence has got even worse since his last goal against the saints at the end of 2016. The days of Jose Fonte and Virgil Van Dijk have been replaced by those of Wesley Hoedt and Jannik Vestergaard. Although it is unfair to judge the latter just yet – it’s obvious to anyone who’s had a glimpse of the Saints defence of the previous season can see the vulnerability when crosses come into the box, with opposition players finding it easy to peel of their man and get an easy header on goal.

Many may argue that Benteke is low on confidence and thus could find it hard to break his goal drought. However, in the 2017/18 campaign – target man strikers thrived against the St.Marys side. Three of Olivier Girouds Seven league goals came against Southampton last season (with an additional one coming in the FA cup semi final), with players such as Peter Crouch, Laurent Depotre, and Sam Vokes all finding the net and against the red and whites in seasons which they all scored 6 goals or less.