Bournemouth vs Southampton Preview & Prediction | 2024-25 English Premier League
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
It isn’t necessarily a derby or a rivalry but AFC Bournemouth face Southampton at the Vitality Stadium this weekend with the Cherries looking to bounce back from back-to-back defeats as Saints seek to build on a point last weekend.
KICK-OFF DATE/TIME: Monday 30th September, 2024 - UK – 8:00pm / US ET – 3:00pm / US PT – 12:00pm
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – Sky Sports / US – USA Network
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – Sky Go / US – Universo
BOURNEMOUTH PREVIEW: ATTACKING CHERRIES
One of last season’s Manager of the Season nominees, Andoni Iraola, leads his AFC Bournemouth side into this one on the back of back-to-back defeats against Chelsea and Liverpool in which they managed 38 shots across the two matches but they failed to score in either game.
The home team did begin this season quite well as they collected five points from their opening three matches of the season with 1-1 draws against Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United preceding a dramatic 3-2 victory over Everton at Goodison Park after they were 2-0 down in the 88th minute.
SOUTHAMPTON PREVIEW: GUNG-HO SAINTS
Russell Martin is wedded to his fairly extreme possession-based style of football and it will produce some entertaining matches involving Southampton this season. Saints have started with just one point collected in their opening five matches, though, with a struggle against the drop expected throughout the campaign.
After four successive defeats to start the season, they took a fifth minute lead against fellow newly-promoted opposition in Ipswich Town at St Mary’s in their most recent outing last weekend via the impressive Tyler Dibling. However, Samy Morsy scored a last gasp equaliser to bring the Tractor Boys back level.
BOURNEMOUTH TEAM NEWS: NOTHING NEW
Throughout this season, Andoni Iraola has only had to deal with one injury issue and that it is to United States international Tyler Adams, who remains unavailable for the Cherries after a difficult stint at the club since joining last summer.
The only change that may be unenforced for Iraola would be up-front with Evanilson yet to get off the mark but there is still likely to be faith kept in Bournemouth's record signing.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Arrizabalaga; Julian Araujo, Zabarnyi, Huijsen, Kerkez; Cook, Christie; Tavernier, Kluivert, Semenyo; Evanilson
UNAVAILABLE: Adams (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
SOUTHAMPTON TEAM NEWS: STEPHENS STILL SUSPSNEDED
After a straight red card against Manchester United a couple of weeks ago, club captain Jack Stephens is serving the final game of his three-match suspension this weekend.
As well as Stephens, Saints remain without both Will Smallbone and Kamaldeen Sulemana but they are nearing a return with Gavin Bazunu also unavailable.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Ramsdale; Sugawara, Harwood-Bellis, Bednarek, Taylor; Downes, Lallana; Dibling, Fernandes, Fraser; Archer
UNAVAILABLE: Bazunu (Injured), Stephens (Suspended), Smallbone (Injured), Sulemana (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
BOURNEMOUTH VS SOUTHAMPTON PREDICTION
This clash on Monday has the potential to be a bit of a thriller for the neutral at the Vitality Stadium. AFC Bournemouth are a naturally front foot side under the coaching and ideology of Andoni Iraola but have lacked efficiency in front of goal. Southampton will be waiting for their forwards to fire but may well get a bit of space to attack into in this game with both teams scoring seeming quite a good bet.
BOURNEMOUTH VS SOUTHAMPTON TIP: BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE
