Southampton vs Bournemouth. Premier League.
St. Mary's StadiumAttendance31,778.
Saturday 28 April 2018 13:59, UK
Jack Stephens returns from suspension as Southampton target a crucial victory against south-coast rivals Bournemouth on Saturday.
Stephens has been suspended for the last three matches as Saints have slipped deeper into the relegation mire in the Premier League.
They start the weekend four points from safety, having lost four of their last five league matches.
"Our fixtures have been difficult since I've been here, one home game, so it's not been easy," said manager Mark Hughes, whose only win since being appointed in March was against Wigan in the FA Cup.
"Clearly now we need performances and results. We have the potential to win the four games. I have a really good feeling in terms of what I'm hearing from the group when I speak to them, one on one. No one anticipated being in this situation. But they're raring to go."
Saints finish the season with trips to Everton and Swansea and then a home game against champions Manchester City.
Bournemouth look to be safe from relegation, despite winning just one of their last nine matches. They are nine points above the relegation zone and drew 1-1 with Saints earlier in the season.
Southampton will be without captain Steven Davis and winger Sofiane Boufal.
Midfielder Davis has suffered a recurrence of an Achilles injury and could miss the rest of the season, while Morocco international Boufal has been exiled from the first team by manager Mark Hughes following a bust-up.
Bournemouth midfielder Harry Arter will miss out after sustaining an Achilles injury in training. Full-back Adam Smith remains sidelined with a knee problem.
Southampton have never lost a home match against Bournemouth in all competitions (W8 D5).
The Cherries have failed to score in each of their last four away matches at St. Mary's in all competitions (D1 L3) - they last scored away at the Saints in a League Cup match in October 1987, a 2-2 draw at the Dell under Harry Redknapp.
Saints are winless in eight Premier League games (D3 L5), failing to score on five occasions in that run.
The Cherries have been behind in a league-high 25 different games this season, and have trailed for longer than any other Premier League side (18 hours 44 minutes). However, they've also accrued a league-high 18 points from losing positions in 2017-18.
Eddie Howe is yet to see his side score a goal in five away visits to St. Mary's in all competitions (D1 L4), with those four defeats all ending 2-0 (one with Burnley, three with Bournemouth).
Just 30 per cent of Charlie Austin's Premier League appearances this season have been starts (6/20), while 71 per cent of his goals in 2017-18 have come in these six games (5/7).
Southampton played last week at Leicester on the strength that they had to beat Bournemouth. They played for a draw at the King Power knowing they would definitely beat Bournemouth to set up a cup final against Swansea. This is the be all and end all for Southampton. I'm backing them to win a must-win game, they will have more intensity than Bournemouth given what's at stake. If they lose they are relegated.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-1 (7/1 with Sky Bet)
