On Saturday evening south coast rivals Southampton and Bournemouth meet at St Marys in a game that could prove vital in both teams’ seasons.
The two teams are level on points at the moment, in tenth and eleventh place respectively having accrued 33 points. Both teams look safe from relegation but will know that they still need to secure a few more wins to be certain of top-flight football next season.
Southampton’s form has been mixed of late as wins against Sunderland and Watford were followed by a 2-1 defeat at high-flying Tottenham last time out. Claude Puel’s team have been highly inconsistent this season, so the Saints fans will be unsure what team will turn up on Saturday evening.
The home side received a big blow in the fact that Italian striker Manolo Gabbiadini will miss this clash through injury. The former Napoli star had scored four goals in four appearances since joining the Saints in the January transfer window.
Just like their south coast neighbours, Bournemouth have been inconsistent in the Premier League this season. However, Eddie Howe’s side head into this clash only behind their rivals on goal difference.
The Cherries form has improved of late, as they are unbeaten in their last three top-flight games, having followed up a draw against Manchester United with victories over West Ham and Swansea.
However, both of those recent wins came on home soil. The visitor’s away record in the Premier League is poor, as they have won just one of their last nine games on their travels in the top-flight, suffering seven defeats in the process.
That aforementioned recent improvement in form may well mean they are a tougher opponent than they might have been a few weeks ago.
However, Forebet predicts that Southampton will record a victory and move closer to that magic 40 point mark in the Premier League.