Bournemouth vs Southampton. Premier League.
Vitality StadiumAttendance10,764.
Sunday 3 December 2017 12:56, UK
Bournemouth can jump above south-coast rivals Southampton in the Premier League table with victory on Super Sunday (kick-off 1.30pm).
Defeat to Burnley on Wednesday evening left Eddie Howe's side just four points above the relegation zone and that gap could be even narrower if results go against them on Saturday.
However, three points at the Vitality Stadium this weekend would see them go above Southampton who head into the weekend in 11th place.
Mauricio Pellegrino's side were moments away from becoming only the second team to take points off leaders Manchester City this season before Raheem Sterling's dramatic injury-time winner on Wednesday night.
However, they have a good record against Bournemouth, only losing one of their last nine meetings.
Bournemouth will make a late decision on Junior Stanislas ahead of the game. The midfielder has been out since the end of October with a groin problem, but has resumed some training.
Defenders Brad Smith (hip) and Tyrone Mings (back) continue their rehabilitation and will not be involved.
Defender Cedric Soares, who has been ever present for Southampton this season, has been ruled out of the match after limping out of the game at Man City with a hamstring problem.
Striker Shane Long is a doubt with a calf strain and Mauricio Pellegrino has indicated Charlie Austin, who was dropped against City despite scoring twice against Everton last Sunday, is likely to start.
There hasn't been a draw in the last eight league clashes between these two sides at the Vitality Stadium, with both sides sharing four wins apiece.
After losing their first eight Premier League games on a Sunday, scoring four goals and conceding 21, the Cherries have picked up four points from their last three (W1 D1 L1).
Southampton have won just one of their last seven away league games on a Sunday (D4 L2), though this did come at Bournemouth in December last season (3-1).
This is Southampton's lowest points tally after 14 games of a Premier League season (16) since 2012/13 (12) - they finished that campaign in 14th place.
"Southampton are moving in the right direction - they've had two good performances, although the City defeat will have been disheartening. They could've got a draw. Bournemouth's defeat to Burnley was a bad result for them. I think Southampton can get the win."
PAUL PREDICTS: 1-2 (10/1 with Sky Bet)
Bournemouth are Sky Bet's 9/5 outsiders despite home advantage, with Southampton priced at 6/4 while the draw is a 23/10 chance. However, it is the hosts' Callum Wilson who heads the first goalscorer betting at 9/2 while Charlie Austin is considered the visitors' main threat at 11/2 net first.
