Kick-off – 4pm Sunday 16th October
Venue – St Mary’s Stadium
Referee – Mike Dean
Last time – 2-0, 21st March 2015 (Long 37, Shackell own goal 58)
Southampton entertain Burnley this weekend at the St Mary’s Stadium. A win for the Saints could see them edge closer to the Premier Leagues European places. A victory for Burnley has the potential to rocket them up the table. However, this has the potential to be a tough trip for the Clarets.
Southampton vs Burnley: A Tough Trip for The Clarets Expected
Southampton Team news
The full-back positions could cause manager Claude Puel a headache. Both first choice full-backs Cedric Soares and Ryan Bertrand will miss put. Matt Targett and Cuco Martina are expected to replace them.
Better news for the Saints is that Shane Long and Jay Rodriguez are close to returning. Both could be included in Puel’s squad.
Burnley team news
Striker Andre Gray misses out due to suspension. He is serving the third of a four game ban. Manager Sean Dyche will be hoping keeper Tom Heaton recovers in time to play. Heaton withdrew from the England squad last week with a calf injury. Veteran Paul Robinson is on stand by if Heaton fails to recover.
Current form
Southampton are unbeaten at home this season. They have also not conceded a goal in their last six games in all competitions. Last time out they drew 0-0 away at current league Champions Leicester City. This followed an impressive 0-3 victory at West Ham.
Burnley are suffering on their travels so far this season. They have yet to pick up a point or score a goal. At home it is a different story. They have seven points so far and have beaten the likes of Liverpool. A late goal last time out denied them a point against Arsenal.
Southampton Stats
Leading scorer – Charlie Austin – 2
Main Man – Charlie Austin. He is currently the Saints main goal threat and has scored twice in his two previous games against his former club Burnley. He has been sent off once though.
Saints fans have seen their side score in 13 consecutive league games at home.
Southampton have been beaten just once by Burnley at home in 14 games.
Burnley stats
Leading scorers – Steven Defour, Andre Gray, Michael Keane, Sam Vokes, Jeff Hendrick – 1
Main man – Steven Defour. 80% of Burnley’s goals this season have come through the Belgians direct involvement.
The Clarets have averaged a top flight low of just 36.8% possession this season.
Only two victories have come from their last 15 Premier League away games.
The last word
Given the form of both sides, this could be tough game for the visitors. Southampton are in good form and will be tough to break down given their excellent defensive record of late. Burnley will have to be at their best to break down a stubborn Saints defence. With striker Andre Gray unavailable, others will need to step up if the Clarets are going to come away from St Mary’s with anything other then defeat. This is the Premier League though, and on many occasions form has meant little.
