Southampton vs Burnley. Premier League.
St. Mary's StadiumAttendance30,491.
Saturday 4 November 2017 14:39, UK
Southampton will look to give their home fans some long-awaited cheer when Burnley visit St Mary’s on Saturday.
Despite being unbeaten in their last three Premier League games, Southampton have won just two of their last 11 home games.
Boss Mauricio Pellegrino has yet to announce himself on the scene with a big result at Saints as a lack of imagination in forward areas have restricted their progress. If you include the end of last season, Saints have failed to score in nine of their last 16 Premier League games.
They face a Burnley side in the midst of their best start to a top division season since 1973. It's been a run of results propped up by a healthy return on the road, where they've amassed eight points from their five games, including wins at Chelsea and Everton.
Boss Sean Dyche says he is fully focused on his job at Burnley, despite reports linking him with a move to the Toffees.
Mario Lemina will be Southampton's only absentee for Saturday's clash. The Gabon international midfielder remains sidelined with the ankle injury which kept him out of last weekend's 1-1 draw with Brighton.
Winger Nathan Redmond and forward Shane Long are among the players pushing for starts after being named as substitutes against the Seagulls, while striker Chris Wood may have to settle for a place on the bench.
The New Zealand international is recovering well from a hamstring injury but may not be risked from the start, while Steven Defour (groin) is in a similar position after coming off against Newcastle.
Nahki Wells (foot) proved his fitness with a hat-trick for the U23s on Thursday night and should keep his spot on the bench, but Jon Walters, Dean Marney (both knee) and Tom Heaton (shoulder) remain out.
Southampton have won their last four home matches against Burnley in all competitions, including victories in both Premier League games.
Saints have scored three goals in their last two home Premier League games, as many as they had in their previous nine at St Mary's.
Southampton won their last home game, but haven't managed consecutive Premier League home victories since December 2016.
Burnley have already won more away games (2) and more away points (8) this season than they did in the whole of 2016-17 (one win and seven points).
These two sides have seen the fewest goals scored in their Premier League games so far this season - Burnley (18) and Southampton (19 - level with Swansea and Newcastle).
Only bottom of the league side Crystal Palace (3.2%) have converted a lower proportion of their total shots in the Premier League than Southampton (6.0%) this season. Southampton were also the worst side in the 2016-17 Premier League for shot conversion rate (7.5%).
Dyche has lost all four of his trips to St. Mary's as a manager - three defeats with Burnley and one with Watford in October 2011; a 0-4 defeat which remains his joint-biggest defeat as a manager.
Burnley's game on Monday was dreadful and I am going to go 1-0 Southampton, it will be a tight, tight game with just one goal in it. Although it will probably end up having the most goals of the weekend!
Paul predicts: 1-0 (Sky Bet odds 11/2)
Southampton are Sky Bet's 8/13 favourites for the victory with Burnley up against odds of 5/1, while the draw is priced at 13/5. The bookmakers are not expecting a goal fest at St Mary's, with three or more goals priced at 5/4, with Manolo Gabbiadini the 7/2 favourite to break the deadlock. Wood is considered the visitors' main threat at 11/2 to net first.
Southampton v Burnley is included in this weekend's Super 6 round, with £250,000 up for grabs. Enter your predictions for free here.
