BOURNEMOUTH – SOUTHAMPTON | Wednesday 8.30pm
With last Saturday’s pyrotechnic draw in the relegation duel with Fulham, Bournemouth’s unbeaten streak was extended to six matches. The Rossoneri are the best-performing team from the lower division, showing that salvation is by no means a utopia: they have already accumulated 13 points, are tenth in the standings and are currently well clear of the relegation zone. The decision to relieve the coach of promotion, Scott Parker, in August after the first few days of the championship – the 9-0 at Anfield Road against Liverpool was fatal for him – seemed to be a gamble. And instead, with hindsight, it can be said that the Cherries’ management got it right. The impact of substitute Gary O’Neil was excellent, and in a short space of time he was able to give Bournemouth both identity and character.
The last time Solanke and his team-mates were beaten was away to Liverpool, and so far only top-flight Arsenal have managed to conquer the Vitality Stadium. The midweek match against Southampton, a team that is fully entangled in the red zone, looks like a salvation clash. On Sunday, Ralph Hasenhuttl’s men avoided their fifth consecutive defeat, which would have caused the German coach’s bench to falter. They stopped Scamacca’s West Ham, who were forced to settle for a draw (1-1) at St. Mary’s Stadium. A point which, however, was not enough to put an end to the crisis of the Saints, disappointing mainly on the offensive side of the pitch.
Ralph Hasenhuttl
The Prediction
Bournemouth should be able to avoid defeat in a game of less than three goals overall.
Bournemouth-Southampton’s likely line-up
- BOURNEMOUTH (4-4-2): Neto; Fredericks, Mepham, Senesi, Zemura; Christie, Lerma, Cook, Tavernier; Billing, Solanke.
- SOUTHAMPTON (4-4-2): Bazunu; Walker-Peters, Caleta-Car, Salisu, Perraud; Aribo, Maitland-Niles, Ward-Prowse, Elyounoussi; Adams, Armstrong.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-0
