Southampton v Burnley preview: Saints continue top-four push

Southampton can keep up the pressure on their fellow top-four contenders when they take on Burnley in the Premier League at St Mary's on Saturday.

Ronald Koeman's side are sixth and six points behind fourth-placed Manchester United after a run of just one win in five games but can half that gap with victory over relegation-threatened opposition.

Despite their stuttering form, Saints have shown signs that they may be getting back to their best in the victory over Crystal Palace and particularly in earning an impressive point at Chelsea last time out.

Meanwhile, Burnley come into the game on the back of a morale boosting victory over Manchester City and will also take confidence from the fact they won the return fixture at Turf Moor back in December, Ashley Barnes scoring the only goal.

The Clarets remain in the drop zone, a point behind Sunderland in 17th but will take encouragement from having taken six points from their last six matches given that they have travelled to Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool in that run as well as hosting City.

Team news

Southampton are able to welcome back winger Eljero Elia who has recovered from the ankle injury which saw him miss last weekend's 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge.

Graziano Pelle started that match from the bench and will be vying for a start on Saturday. Jay Rodriguez (knee) and Emmanuel Mayuka (groin) remain absent, but Ronald Koeman has no fresh injury concerns.

Burnley defender Stephen Ward is expected to be fit after missing training with a niggle this week.

Midfielder Matt Taylor requires another run out with the U21s before he is deemed fit enough to return after an Achilles operation.

Dean Marney and Kevin Long (both cruciate ligament injuries) remain long-term absentees.

Opta facts

Burnley have won three and lost just one of the last six league meetings with Southampton.

Saints' home form has been patchy recently, with a record of W3 D2 L4 in their last nine Premier League matches at St Mary’s.

That said, Southampton have kept 11 clean sheets and conceded just 12 goals in their last 19 Premier League games on home soil.

All five of Burnley’s Premier League wins this season have been by a single-goal margin.

Burnley have conceded the most headed goals in the top flight this season (17) while Southampton have shipped the fewest (2).

Saints' defender Jose Fonte has made more interceptions (85) than any other player in the Premier League this season.

Merson's prediction

I have watched Burnley play away from home a few times this season and wherever they go, Sean Dyche’s men have a go. They drew at Chelsea and Manchester City, while they should have also won at Manchester United, when they were much better than them that night at Old Trafford. Southampton also need to win this match and I was hugely impressed with how they played in the second half of the opening 45 minutes at Chelsea last Sunday, when I thought they were superb, although after half time the home side dominated and should have won easily.

PAUL PREDICTS: 2-1

Betting

Sky Bet expect Burnley's away day blues to continue. The Clarets, despite taking points at Chelsea and Man City, are priced at 6/1 to record only their second away win of the season at St Mary's. Southampton are 4/9 to grab another three points in the race for a top-four finish and they are available at 11/1 to secure Champions League football come May. Graziano Pelle is 7/2 to net the opener despite his goal drought, while George Boyd is 5/1 to added to his winning against Manchester City by netting anytime. 

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