Independent match preview: When Southampton comfortably beat Swansea back in early October, Mauricio Pochettino’s side were riding high in a Champions League berth, while their South Wales opponents hovered above the relegation zone. The two clubs have gravitated towards each other since then, and are both now secure in the safety of mid-table. They may have nothing to play for apart from pride, but both teams come into this game on the back of an impressive win. Swansea took apart a hapless Aston Villa side with the help of Jonjo Shelvey’s world-class strike, while Southampton benefited from Everton twice pushing the self-destruct button to triumph in the early kick-off. Despite beating Everton in 12 years, the Saints have taken just one point from their last three away games. Swansea on the other hand have won back-to-back league matches for the first time in 16 months, allowing manager and former captain Garry Monk to put his shaky start behind him. His team have also scored far more than any other side in the bottom half, and boast a striker in a rich vein of form. Wilfried Bony has hit 24 goals in his debut season, including four strikes in his last two matches. In contrast, since losing top scorer Jay Rodriguez to a ruptured anterior cruciate knee ligament four games ago, Southampton have only hit the back of the net from a penalty and two own goals. STATS… Only West Ham have lost more points from a winning position than Southampton this season. In total, the Saints have given up 18 points after going ahead, following on from last year when they surrendered a season-high 28 points. Swansea haven’t beaten Southampton in their last four meetings, with the South Wales side’s last win - a 3-0 victory in the Championship - coming in 2008, when Southampton were relegated to League One. The teams have met 61 times. Southampton have won 28, Swansea 18 and there have been 15 draws. Swansea haven’t won three games in a row since March 2012, when they beat Wigan, Manchester City and Fulham. Swansea have kept eight clean sheets this season. Only three sides - Cardiff, West Brom and Fulham - have managed fewer. ODDS… Swansea to win: 2.37 Southampton to win: 2.9 Draw: 3.4 TV: Highlights on BBC1 at 10.20pm
Not sure what your problem is with Tremmel scfc.no, led the Premier in a few categories last season . Teindalli shoud get one last look before he gets cut loose , does have qualities and hasnt played enough to get a 100 % rating imo
Sorry but monk isn't going to change a winning formula IMO, he's going to want to win as many games as he can to put himself in line for the permanent job. Vorm Taylor, Amat, Williams, Davies Britton, Shelvey JDG Hernandez, Routledge Bony Subs: Tremmel, Dyer, Emnes, Vazquez, Jazz, Fulton, Bartley The only changes I can see monk making is possibly someone to fill RB (Tiendalli, Taylor, Jazz, Bartley even Chico) and Dyer to make a start instead of JDG.
One of my favourite moments this season was when Rio Ferdinand took a swing at Bony and ended up going off with a knee injury! Must've been like kicking a tree trunk!
Maybe you'd like to attend the course running parallel to positive thinking it's called reality, welcome to the real world.
0-3 I cant see that scoreline ever happening unless you have made a mistake and mean 3-0 to the mighty swans.
'comfortably beat Swansea' Two lucky goals, against the run of the game, park the bus at home team. Look at he stats (IO know goals are the only important ones) but 'comfortably' what a dong!
Yeah, we were much the better team that day....I remember a few Saints on here admitting as much post game. Let's hope the clinical finishing we've been showing lately continues tomorrow. They are a bloody good team though. Wouldn't be surprised if we drew or lost tomorrow.
I wouldn't expect us to score more than one! Lambert is a doubt, Ramirez and Rodriguez are out, and Schneiderlin is a big doubt too. We will most likely start with 18 year old Sam Gallagher upfront, then whoever else is healthy to play in midfield xD
I used to really respect Southampton .After seeing how they and theyre manager took on all comers this season, that respect has only grown......that being said , 3-1 to the mighty swans PS , have any saint fans heard anything about interest from you re team in Nathen Dyer , especially as he has only started 1 out of the last 6 games .
