Bournemouth resume their Premier League campaign this week as Eddie Howe’s men visit St. Mary’s Stadium to play a revived Southampton side. The Cherries have also gone back to winning ways since their inspiring draw against Manchester United at Old Trafford and we expect a good battle between two sides highly brimming with confidence.
The Saints have a better record against their South coast rivals of late as they have won two of their last three Premier League games and a huge psychological barrier for Bournemouth would be their hopeless record away at Southampton. The Cherries have failed to win a single match ever away against Southampton.
Bournemouth are currently in the 11th position of the league table with 33 points and one position behind Southampton. Any kind of success here will help the Cherries leapfrog them though Southampton still have two matches in hand.
Strongest Bournemouth XI vs Southampton
Defence
The immensely experienced Artur Boruc should take his place under the bar. The 37-year-old Polish shot stopper is a former Southampton player and will definitely have a point to prove though he isn’t having the best of seasons this time.
The back-four should remain the same from Bournemouth’s last win over Swansea City. The two defensive flanks are expected to be taken by Charlie Daniels and Adam Smith. Howe’s squad has been exemplary this season with everyone eager to prove a point whenever given a chance.
Tyrone Mings will continue to serve his five-match-ban that still has three more to go. Skipper Simon Francis should continue to take his place in the middle alongside the impressive Steve Cook. Despite playing out of position, Francis has been brilliant at the heart of the defence.
Middle
With the most important player in the squad, Harry Arter, still out with a calf injury, Howe is likely to stick with his two-pivot setup featuring Dan Gosling and Andrew Surman. The flanks in the four-man midfield setup are expected to be taken by Marc Pugh and Max Gradel.
With Ryan Fraser injured in their last win against Swansea, Wilshere had taken his place from the bench in the final quarter of the game. However, Gradel should start there this time owing to his better pace from the wings.
Attack
The attack should be spearheaded by the man of the moment Joshua King and Benik Afobe. King now has eight goals and one assist in the last eight league games and there is a big chance he will find the net.
