Right, FLT has been fired so I'll take a shot. Officials Referee: Mike Dean Assistants: J Brooks M Perry 4th official: Kevin Friend Form guide Southampton's defeat to Chelsea on Saturday ended a run of 6 games without defeat and 6 games without conceding a goal. Bournemouth haven't won in 4 games and have lost their last 3 games at home in all competitions. Team news Saints are again without Florin Gardos and Jay Rodriguez who are still a few weeks away from fitness. Victor Wanyama remains suspended. Bournemouth remain without long term absentees Callum Wilson and Tyrone Mings. Lewis Grabban is also out with a groin strain and Junior Stanislas went off injured against Watford on Saturday. However Max Gradel returns after coming on for Stanislas. Fun videos
OK then, suspended. And as there's been no sign of tiggermaster for ages I thought I wouldn't hang around waiting.
Be interested to see how Clasie and Romeu recover. They ran their nuts of Saturday, as did Davis. I'd be tempted to play JWP or Tadic. Mane in for long, assuming he won't be available.
If we defend for the whole game like we did for an hour against Chelsea, there is no way that Bmouth are scoring. But hopefully Davis is released forward a bit more, like he was against WBA and Watford. We, completely understandably, lacked that midfield threat yesterday. JWP in to freshen the midfield up, and Mane or Tadic for Long (on the presumption that he wont be fit).
Their next three games will go a long, long way to deciding whether they stay up or go down. Saints (h), Newcastle (a), Swansea (h). They could win all three. Or three games without a win cold become six games without a win - and counting. After these three it's Spurs (a), Man City (h), Villa (a), Liverpool (h), Chelsea (h), Everton (a), WBA (h), Man Utd (a). That is huge pressure on the Villa and WBA games, if they don't pick up a couple of wins from these three. And even then, just winning those two might not be enough.