Southampton vs Burnley. Premier League.
St. Mary's StadiumAttendance29,040.
Sunday 16 October 2016 15:01, UK
Southampton are without both of their first-choice full-backs Ryan Bertrand and Cedric Soares for the visit of Burnley on Super Sunday.
Bertrand and Cedric are unavailable as they recover from hamstring and ankle injuries respectively meaning Matt Targett and Cuco Martina are expected to come in.
Saints, who are unbeaten at home all season and unbeaten in all competitions since September 10, are up against a Burnley side who have seven points from seven games following a mixed start to their Premier League return.
They lost late on against Arsenal last time out, and are yet to pick up a point on the road this term.
Other than the problems at full-back for Saints, Shane Long is close to a return, also from a hamstring problem, and Jay Rodriguez could also feature after overcoming a groin strain.
Burnley are crossing their fingers that goalkeeper Tom Heaton is fit to face Southampton on Sunday.
Heaton withdrew from the England squad last week due to a calf problem and is touch-and-go, with veteran Paul Robinson standing by.
Striker Andre Gray serves the third game of a four-match ban for historic social media posts but there are no other concerns.
Southampton have lost just one of their last five league meetings with Burnley, winning two and drawing two.
On home soil, Saints have suffered just one defeat in their last 14 league clashes with Burnley (W7 D6).
Saints have kept six consecutive clean sheets in all competitions. They've only enjoyed a longer run once in their history (eight, ending in August 1922).
Burnley have enjoyed just two victories in their last 15 Premier League away games, drawing three and losing 10.
Southampton have unbeaten in eight Premier League games on home soil (W5 D3) a run bettered only by Leicester (19) and Liverpool (10).
Indeed, Saints have scored in each of their last 13 Premier League games at St. Mary's, the best current run in the competition.
In his two previous Premier League games against former club Burnley, Charlie Austin has scored twice and been sent off.
10 Burnley players have appeared in all seven Premier League games this season, more than any other club.
Steven Defour has been directly involved in a Premier League-high 80% of his team's goals this season, scoring one and assisting three of the Clarets' five goals.
The Clarets have posted a Premier League-low 36.8% average possession figure this season.
Southampton are a good team and I think some people are underestimating them. You look at their back four and they wouldn't look out of place at a club like Arsenal.
They should have won easily at Leicester, and I don't care what standard of football you are playing, to keep six straight clean sheets like they've done is some achievement.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-0 (Sky Bet odds 9/2)
Southampton are on a six-game unbeaten run and are 2/5 with Sky Bet for another victory on Sunday against Burnley.
The visitors are 15/2, with the draw 100/30. Saints have not conceded a goal in any of those last six games, and are even-money to win to nil at St Mary's.
Charlie Austin just shades favouritism in the first goalscorer betting at 100/30 ahead of Shane Long (7/2) and Nathan Redmond (4/1).
