Bournemouth vs Southampton Prediction and Preview – 01/03/16
Premier League preview – Bournemouth vs Southampton prediction.
Bournemouth winger Junior Stanislas is doubtful after coming off with a hamstring strain in the 0-0 draw at Watford on Saturday with Marc Pugh on standby as his replacement. Lewis Grabban is struggling with a groin strain and Tuesday’s visit of south coast neighbours Southampton may come too soon for him. Dan Gosling is hoping he will fit into the manager’s plans, the central midfielder has had to take a back seat recently as Eddie Howe experiments with Joshua King playing behind Benik Afobe. Max Gradel, Tyrone Mings and Callum Wilson are still some way off recovering from their injuries.
Shane Long received treatment on a hamstring strain after being substituted late in Saturday’s 2-1 home loss against Chelsea. Graziano Pelle replaced the Southampton goalscorer and could start alongside Charlie Austin. Dusan Tadic and Sadio Mane are pushing for a place on the left of midfield where left back Matt Targett has been playing a more advanced role lately. Midfielder Victor Wanyama will serve the third of his five-match ban while Florin Gardos and Jay Rodriguez are sidelined with injury.
Possible Line-ups
Bournemouth 4-4-1-1 formation: Boruc; Smith, Francis, Cook, Daniels; Ritchie, Arter, Surman, Pugh; King; Afobe
Southampton 4-2-3-1 formation: Forster; Soares, van Dijk, Fonte, Bertrand; Clasie, Romeu; Long, Davis, Targett; Austin
Statistics
- Bournemouth have won 4 drawn 2 and lost 4 of their last 10 matches
- Southampton have won 5 drawn 1 and lost 4 of their last 10 matches
- Over the course of their previous 10 matches, Bournemouth have scored an average of 1.1 goals and conceded an average of 0.7 goals per game
- Over the course of their previous 10 matches, Southampton have scored an average of 1.1 goals and conceded an average of 0.7 goals per game
- There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 6 of Bournemouth’s previous 10 matches
- There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 4 of Southampton’s previous 10 matches
Prediction
This will be the first time Bournemouth have entertained Southampton in the top flight. The Cherries lost the reverse fixture 2-0 in November and are looking to end a record of five defeats in five meetings with the Saints. Eddie Howe’s side got a valuable point at Watford at the weekend and will hope it sparks an improvement in home form. Bournemouth have lost four of the last five competitive games at Dean Court where they have only registered three league wins so far this season.
Southampton had won five for their previous six league games before Chelsea put an end to their unbeaten spell at the weekend. It was the first time this year that the Saints have conceded more than one goal in a game and Ronald Koeman’s men have kept clean sheets in their last three away games – at Manchester United (W1-0), Arsenal (D0-0) and Swansea (W1-0).
Southampton’s defence has become the team’s biggest strength and could provide the Saints the platform for their fifth away win of the season
Tips
Southampton to win at 17/10 with BetVictor
Under 2.5 goals at 71/100 at Marathonbet
Southampton to win 1-0 at 15/2 with BetVictor
Click here to see more Premier League previews, predictions and tips