Southampton vs AFC Bournemouth Predictions

• Saints are the team in great need.
• Southampton claimed a 3-3 draw with Arsenal last time out.
• Bournemouth slipped to a disappointing 4-0 defeat at home to West Ham over the weekend.
• Saints won the reverse fixture 1-0.

Only a win will do for Saints

Southampton picked up an unlikely point against league leaders Arsenal last time out but they probably need to claim all three when Bournemouth visit if they are to stand any realistic chance of avoiding the drop.

Saints sit rock bottom and are four points adrift of safety. After playing the Cherries they have five games remaining and three of those are against teams chasing European spots – so a victory on Thursday looks crucial.

Bournemouth went down 4-0 at home to West Ham last time out but have won three of their last five games, meaning they sit five points clear of danger.

Saints may snatch vital victory

Southampton blew a two-goal lead in the final two minutes of normal time against Arsenal as they had to settle for a 3-3 draw but they should still draw some confidence from that performance.

Saints have only won six Premier League games this season but one of those was against Bournemouth as they claimed a 1-0 success in the reverse fixture.

The Cherries are clearly the team in the better form with four wins in their last seven games but I’m still opting for a home win, albeit without a great deal of conviction – largely because Saints’ need is greater but they have shown some fight recently, claiming points in clashes with Manchester United, Spurs and then Arsenal.

Cagey affair on the cards?

For Bournemouth, a point wouldn’t be a bad result on Thursday and boss Gary O’Neil will be demanding a better performance in defence after shipping four against West Ham.

That could well lead to a low-scoring game and this huge relegation six-pointer could be the type of game that is decided by one goal, so a 1-0 victory for Southampton is the correct score prediction.

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