Southampton vs Hapoel Beer-Sheva. UEFA Europa League Group K.
St. Mary's StadiumAttendance30,416.
Friday 9 December 2016 10:58, UK
Southampton and Hapoel Be'er Sheva meet in a Europa League Group K decider, with one of them set to advance to the knockout stages as runners-up.
Sparta Prague have run away with Group K but Saints and the Israeli side are locked together on seven points.
A goalless draw or a win will see Southampton reach the last 32 while Hapoel Be'er Sheva need a score draw or victory to progress.
Despite only needing a 0-0 to qualify, Virgil van Dijk says Southampton will be going all out for the victory.
"We definitely need to go and try to win the game," he told the club's website. "I think if you play for a 0-0 it goes the wrong way.
"We need to be focused, we need to show that we want to win the game, and if we play well I think we have a good chance and we will work hard to win the game."
Team news
Dusan Tadic could return for Southampton with a protective face mask after breaking his nose when on international duty with Serbia.
Matt Targett remains the only long-term absentee for Claude Puel's men.
Opta stats
These two sides have met just once in European competition, drawing 0-0 on matchday two.
Southampton have won three of their last four Europa League home games including qualifiers (D1), including both group stage games this season.
Israeli sides have failed to win in any of the eight trips to England in European competition, losing on each of the last six visits.
Indeed, Maccabi Tel Aviv are the only side to score in the last five trips to England with a current aggregate score of 12-1.
The Saints have failed to score in three of their last four Europa League games, although all three of these games were away from home.
Southampton have lost just once in their last 16 home games in all competitions (W11 D4).
The south coast side have kept clean sheets in six of their last nine games in all competitions at St Mary's, including each of the last two.
Charlie Austin has scored six goals in his last six home starts in all competitions for the Saints.
Charlie Nicholas' prediction
Southampton are like a bag of Revels. I think everyone expected them to win at the weekend and they didn't just disappoint but they got absolutely battered, even without Fraser Forster's mistake.
Everybody talks up Virgil van Dijk but he can still be slack-minded and he's got a way with quite a few penalty calls this season. Defending is an art and he's not quite got it nailed, a bit like John Stones.
Surely Dusan Tadic should be back with a mask on? I was also surprised to see Josh Sims not starting at the weekend after doing so well.
I do think they'll edge this one though and I'm backing a man who is overdue a goal in Steven Davis to get the winner.
Charlie predicts: 1-0 and Davis to score first (35/1 with Sky Bet)
Betting
Southampton are big favourites at 4/9 to get the victory they need to guarantee a place in the last 32 while the draw can backed at 100/30. An away win is a 15/2 chance.
Saints can progress as runners-up with a 0-0 draw with that available to back at 9/2. Southampton legend Matt Le Tissier is tipping up a home win with Nathan Redmond scoring first in a 2-0 victory at 17/1.
