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Eddie Howe keen to sew up Premier League football for Bournemouth next season

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Eddie Howe says Bournemouth cannot switch off before they have mathematically confirmed their place in the Premier League for next season.

Eddie Howe is primed for a "huge" game on the south coast as he tries to lead Bournemouth to a first win at Southampton.

Southampton are without a league win in eight and are 18th in the table, four points adrift of safety ahead of Saturday's visit of the Cherries.

Bournemouth are all but guaranteed to play Premier League football again next season, but Howe is fully focused on coming away from the short trip to St Mary's with a victory that would mathematically ensure it.

"We know things in football can change so quickly from one week to the next," he told reporters.

Matteo Darmian of Manchester United and Charlie Daniels of AFC Bournemouth battle for possession
Image: Bournemouth were beaten 2-0 by Manchester United in their last game

"So this game is huge on many levels - the fact of who we are playing and what it means to the football club - but more than that for our season.

"We can get the job [of staying up next season] done in this game so that is what we are trying to do.

"We came very close [to winning at St Mary's] last year in what was a very tight game. I'd love to think we can go there and win, and if we can perform at our very, very best we have a really good chance of winning."

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Southampton
Image: Southampton will try and bounce back from last weekend's FA Cup semi-final loss to Chelsea

Asked why he thought Bournemouth have never won at Southampton, Howe said: "I think historically Southampton have been a much bigger club than us and I think the resources they have had over the years meant they have been too strong for us on occasions.

"Throughout the history of both clubs we've usually been in different leagues so it's not been a regular fixture in the calendar. It's only the last few years where we've had regular games against them and for me they have been enjoyable experiences."

Bournemouth can better their points total from the last campaign with three wins from their last three matches. Howe sees no reason why his side cannot improve last season's tally, but says his goal is to ensure Bournemouth are a Premier League side for years to come.

"It's a motivation for us [to better last season's total]," he said.

Jermaine Defoe celebrates after scoring a late equaliser for Bournemouth at Vicarage Road
Image: Bournemouth are 11th in the Premier League table

"I don't think it's the be-all and end-all but it's definitely something that we have focused on, so we are very keen on winning the last three games.

"I think we are very capable of doing it if we perform well. That's the challenge I have set the players and that's what I expect the players to show on Saturday.

"I just want Bournemouth to stay up and I want Bournemouth to be in the Premier League next year, that's my only focus.

"What happens to other clubs is no concern of mine. I'm desperate for us to consolidate ourselves as a Premier League side."

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