Southampton-Bournemouth is a match valid for the thirty-third day of the Premier League and is played on Thursday at 8:45 pm: TV, predictions.
In the last league round Southampton probably dashed the title dreams of Arsenal fans by snatching an unexpected draw at the Emirates Stadium. Leading 3-1 with two minutes to go, the Saints, the Premier League’s tail end, let themselves be caught up just before the final whistle by the leading team (3-3), touching off a success that would have been sensational. Salvation, in any case, remains a pipe dream.
The point won in London against Mikel Arteta’s team did not help move the standings, which remain dire. The men coached by Spaniard Ruben Selles are still last, and the feeling is that a half miracle will be needed to keep their category. Five points to make up on the fourth-last with six days to go in the tournament: taking a look at the calendar, one can clearly see how the red and whites have to play only two direct clashes (Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest), while in the remaining matches they will have to contend with teams stationed on the left side of the standings. Therefore, the home match with the Cherries has the flavor of the very last resort: in case of a non-win – Southampton has missed the appointment with three points for seven days – hopes would be reduced to the twilight zone. Bournemouth, on the other hand, could put a mortgage on salvation, as they have nine more points than the Saints and are +5 above the third-last.
Last beach for Southampton
Gary O’Neil’s Rossoneri were on a roll thanks to two consecutive successes against Leicester and Tottenham, but on Sunday they came back down to earth, suffering a humiliating 4-0 loss to West Ham, who did the business at the Vitality Stadium.
Bournemouth’s Tavernier
There is no time to lick one’s wounds, however, as there are two crucial fixtures with direct rivals Southampton and Leeds on the horizon: should they win both, Bournemouth would be one step closer to their goal. The Cherries set their sights on a third consecutive away win against a team that, on the other hand, in front of its own public has so far racked up 10 defeats. Selles, as if that were not enough, will have to do without several elements: missing from the roll call will be Larios, Adams, Livramento and Salisu. In doubt, however, is the presence of Maitland-Niles. Bournemouth without Fredericks and Stanislas, but O’Neil could count again on former Sassuolo man Traoré.
The Prediction
This is going to be a very tight match between two teams fighting for the same goal, salvation. For last-place Southampton, it’s practically an inside or outside challenge. A token can be bet on the Saints, who gave good vibes against Arsenal and can at least avoid defeat in a match of at least two total goals.
The probable lineups of Southampton-Bournemouth
- SOUTHAMPTON (4-2-3-1): Bazunu; Maitland-Niles, Bednarek, Bella-Kotchap, Walker-Peters; Ward-Prowse, Lavia; Elyounoussi, Alcaraz, A. Armstrong; Walcott.
- BOURNEMOUTH (4-4-1-1): Neto; Smith, Mepham, Senesi, Kelly; Tavernier, Lerma, Rothwell, Ouattara; Billing; Solanke.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 2-1
