Get ready for the Premier League meeting between Southampton and Bournemouth with our in-depth match preview...
THE MATCH
Southampton vs AFC Bournemouth
Saturday 1st April, 5.30pm BST
St Mary’s Stadium
Premier League
WHAT’S AT STAKE?
It’s not just some south coast bragging rights that are at stake here. Both sides are level on points in the table, although Saints are ahead of their opponents on goal difference, having also played two games less.
A win for Claude Puel’s team, who begin the weekend in tenth, could move them up to ninth in the table.
TEAM NEWS
Southampton: Manolo Gabbiadini is set to miss the game, having not yet recovered from the groin injury he sustained in the 2-1 defeat at Tottenham two weeks previously. Saints also have a lot of players returning from international duty this week, but Puel is hoping he will have no other fitness concerns.
Bournemouth: The Cherries have no new injury concerns from the international break, although Ryan Fraser is a doubt with a hamstring issue. Defender Tyrone Mings is suspended for the match, while Callum Wilson, Adam Federici and Rhoys Wiggins remain sidelined.
FORM GUIDE
Southampton’s previous five:
Tottenham Hotspur (a) L 1-2
Watford (a) W 4-3
Manchester United (n) L 2-3 (EFL Cup)
Sunderland (a) W 4-0
West Ham United (h) L 1-3
Bournemouth’s previous five:
Swansea City (h) W 2-0
West Ham United (h) W 3-2
Manchester United (a) D 1-1
West Brom (a) L 1-2
Manchester City (h) L 0-2
TOP PERFORMERS
Saints won’t have Manolo Gabbiadini this weekend, but they have plenty of attacking players in good form. Nathan Redmond has looked lively in recent weeks, while James Ward-Prowse, fresh from his goal at Spurs and his own senior England debut, has become a more consistent contributor going forward.
Top scorers: Charlie Austin (9), Manolo Gabbiadini, Nathan Redmond (6)
Most assists: Dušan Tadić (6), James Ward-Prowse (5)
There’s no doubt who Bournemouth’s danger man is right now. Joshua King is enjoying a superb run in attack, scoring eight goals in his last eight appearances at club level. That included his hat-trick in the Cherries’ recent 3-2 home win over West Ham.
Top scorers: Joshua King (11), Callum Wilson (6)
Most assists: Junior Stanislas (5), Adam Smith (4)
PREVIOUS MEETINGS
All-time record:
Played: 24
Southampton: 12
Draws: 5
Bournemouth: 7
Previous four meetings:
December 2016: Bournemouth 1-3 Southampton (Bertrand, Rodriguez 2)
March 2016: Bournemouth 2-0 Southampton
November 2015: Southampton 2-0 Bournemouth (Davis, Pellè)
March 2011: Bournemouth 1-3 Southampton (Barnard, Hammond, Lambert)
DID YOU KNOW?
– Bournemouth have never won an away match, in any competition, against Southampton.
– Southampton’s last three home games against the Cherries have ended with them winning 2-0.
NOT AT THE GAME?
Don’t worry if you can’t make it to St Mary’s! Our interactive match centre at southamptonfc.com will have all the build-up, as well as in-game updates and free live audio commentary.
Additionally, be sure to follow us on our various social channels for behind-the-scenes access and further updates:
– Twitter
– Instagram
– Snapchat
– Facebook
Share this: