Bournemouth – Southampton : Preview & Prediction
A 2-2 draw at home to Fulham over the weekend served to extend Bournemouth interim manager Gary O’Neil’s 100% unbeaten record to an impressive six games (G2, E4). Conversation continues to grow around whether O’Neil will be given the job on a permanent basis, but the picture will become clearer once the club’s impending takeover by foreign capital is complete.
History is at stake for the Cherries, as only one more unbeaten game would equal their otherwise team-record seven-game unbeaten run in the Premier League (PL) achieved in the 2017/18 campaign. Such a result would perhaps be much sweeter against one of their south coast rivals, Southampton, but they have only beaten them twice since the turn of the century (E4, P8).
While Southampton fans may not regard this game as a rivalry in the same way that Cherries fans do, they will equally be desperate to get past their neighbors to escape the relegation zone. A run of two wins in the first ten rounds of the PL has left many questioning the job security of manager Ralph Hasenhüttl; however, he recorded an identical performance at this stage in the 2019/20 season and his side finished 11th.
If Southampton’s resurgence is to begin here, then they will need to find at least a couple of goals to secure a win, or else they will need to end a run of 19 consecutive PL away games without keeping a clean sheet. However, the Saints have looked more like sinners on the road of late, losing “clean sheets” in each of their last three away games. However, two narrow defeats to Wolves and Villa suggest that even if they lose again, it shouldn’t be by a resounding landslide.
Players to watch: Dominic Solanke has already recorded more PL goal contributions this season (G2, A3) than he did in 32 appearances during Bournemouth’s last relegation campaign. As for Southampton, Ché Adams scored both goals in their only away win this season and also recorded a goal contribution in his two PL appearances against the Cherries.
Key stat: Bournemouth have failed to win 12 of their last 14 PL clashes played on a Wednesday (E3, P9).
Bournemouth – Southampton : Betting Tips
Bournemouth – Win Odds: 2.45
