Southampton vs Hull City. Premier League.
St. Mary's StadiumAttendance31,120.
Saturday 29 April 2017 13:56, UK
Hull will have striker Oumar Niasse available as they look for a long-awaited away win against Southampton on Saturday.
Niasse was shown a straight red card in last weekend's win over Watford, but it was subsequently overturned following an appeal from the club.
He is now set to lead the line as Hull seek their first away win since August to boost their survival hopes.
The Tigers have won four of their last seven games, all at home, to move two points clear of the relegation zone.
"We need to play with the same confidence that we do in our home games," said manager Marco Silva. "The mind has to be looking at this as one game, it doesn't matter where it is.
"We have to keep our focus and respect the plan we have for the game all the way through."
Southampton were beaten 4-2 at Chelsea in midweek but can still finish in the top eight.
They trail seventh-placed West Brom by four points with a game in hand.
Team news
Sam McQueen (groin) is back in the Southampton squad after he returned to training on Thursday.
Striker Charlie Austin (shoulder) and defender Matt Targett were also involved, but neither will be available to face Hull.
While Niasse is available, Hull efender Omar Elabdellaoui remains absent with a back problem and may not play again this season. Ryan Mason, Moses Odubajo and Will Keane remain absent with long-term injuries.
Opta stats
Southampton have won four of their previous five Premier League matches against Hull City, although they did lose last time out in November.
Saints have won their last four home games against Hull, scoring two or more in each clash.
Southampton have lost only one of their last 12 Premier League home games against sides in the bottom half of the table coming into the fixture (W7 D4 L1).
Since Marco Silva was appointed Hull City manager, the Tigers have won 20 points from 14 Premier League matches. However, only one of these points (5 per cent) has come away from home.
There have been 54 goals scored in the last 16 Premier League games involving Southampton - an average of 3.4 per game. Thirteen of these matches have seen at least three goals scored.
Despite not playing for them in over three months (January 14th) and Hull City playing 13 Premier League games since then, Robert Snodgrass is still the player with the most goals (7), most goal involvements (10) and most chances created (45) for the Tigers in the Premier League this season.
Paul Merson's prediction
This is a game Hull might fancy to end that miserable away record. They might be thinking, 'This can be the one', especially when you consider Swansea are at Manchester United. It's an opportunity.
But Southampton are a better team than many give them credit for this season. They are a decent side and should have too much for the Tigers.
PAUL PREDICTS: 3-1 (Sky Bet odds 12/1)
Betting
Southampton are Sky Bet's odds-on favourites for the victory at 8/13 with Hull considered the 17/4 outsiders, while the draw is 29/10. Southampton remain well backed to finish in the top-half at 1/7 while Hull are 13/8 fourth favourites to be relegated. Manolo Gabbiadini is the 100/30 favourite to score the first goal in this game, with Oumar Niasse and Abel Hernandez seen as most likely threats for the visitors at 8/1 apiece.
