Southampton v Burnley Match Preview

[outwoodclaret]

When Ralph Hasenhuttl replaced the unlamented Mark Hughes as Saints boss the Austrian was soon being hailed in the British press as the next of the great young European managers to follow in the footsteps of Jurgen Klopp. Then came that fateful day in October 2019 when Leicester visited St Mary’s and ran out 9-0 winners. I ventured to suggest at the time that far from being the Austrian Klopp Hasenhuttl might be “The New Forest Gump”. Despite clocking up another record 9-0 PL defeat this season at Manchester United Hasenhuttl remains in charge at St Mary’s and has guided the Saints to an FA Cup Semi Final where they will face Leicester City on April 18. Before that Wembley date however Saints have two important League fixtures away to West Brom but firstly at home on Sunday to the Clarets.

Burnley and Southampton are currently locked together on 33 points from their opening 29 fixtures. With neither team yet mathematically safe from relegation victory on Sunday will ease any lingering fears for the winning team. For Southampton Che Adams scored his first international goal for Scotland in a 4-0 win over the Faroe Islands and may be partnered with a fit again Danny Ings. Theo Walcott also comes into the reckoning while James Ward-Prowse will need to be assessed after being sent back to Southampton with a fitness concern while on international duty with England.

The unlucky Robbie Brady came off injured while playing for the Republic of Ireland in a friendly against Qatar and will not be available to face Southampton. The game also comes too soon for Ashley Barnes. Jack Cork and Charlie Taylor should both be available for selection along with Dwight McNeil who excelled for the England Under 21 side that beat Croatia but were nevertheless eliminated from the European Championships. Nick Pope will be in goal for the Clarets after a very successful spell with England in World Cup qualifying matches and the opportunity may well arise for Czech international Matej Vydra to repeat his brilliant strike which sealed a 2-1 victory on our last visit to St Mary’s.

Man in the middle is Andre Marriner who took the whistle for our recent incident packed home draw with Arsenal. Jon Moss who is no stranger to controversy himself will be on VAR duties. Expect the unexpected! COYC.

[The Bedlington Terrier]

Super preview Sir Outwood. COYC#

[sinkov]

So Robbie's sent in another sick note, what about Berg, has he come back in one piece ? Surely not

[kritichris]

Bugger! I didn't know Ings was back when I predicted 2-2 Let's hope he's not match fit.

[Norder]

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they continue as is - a lack of Ideas in the final 3rd, we defend and goal like we know we can, they dither about, bereft of ideas, and we....take all the points.

[sinkov]

Bugger! I didn't know Ings was back when I predicted 2-2 Let's hope he's not match fit.

Will that make a difference Chris, I expect he'll score against us, match fit or not.

[Norder]

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we started well, they didn't....3-2, thanks to a Pope super save....12 mins remain, C'mon Burnley, work their poxy defence !

[Norder]

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all over them, but wasting it withnowhere balls into their box !

[Norder]

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Game over.... 3-2

sad, threw it .

[kritichris]

Looks like Ings made the difference, a goal and an assist. Thought this was a tea time kick off again and missed the first half.