Burnley v Southampton preview: James Tarkowski rated as doubtful

Burnley will look to end a run of 10 games without a Premier League win when they host relegation-threatened Southampton on Saturday.

Despite not winning a league match since beating Stoke 1-0 on December 12, they've already amassed 36 points this season - just four points short of their final points total last season.

Southampton are embroiled in the scrap for survival and start the day in the bottom three. However, they have not lost any of last eight Premier League games when starting the day in the relegation zone, winning four of those matches.

A dramatic late header from substitute Sam Vokes handed Burnley a 1-0 victory over Southampton in the reverse fixture earlier this season.

Team news

Burnley could welcome four players back to their squad.

Dean Marney and Chris Wood (both knee) took part in a behind-closed-doors match against Blackpool this week, Phil Bardsley has recovered from a minor hamstring problem while James Tarkowski (groin) is more doubtful but could make it. Scott Arfield (calf) looks set to miss out.

Tom Heaton also faced Blackpool in his first action since dislocating his shoulder nearly six months ago but needs more game time. Robbie Brady, Steven Defour and Jon Walters (all knee) remain sidelined.

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Southampton should have midfielder Sofiane Boufal available.

Defender Maya Yoshida, though, is set for at least a month on the sidelines with a knee problem.

Shane Long and Steven Davis are expected to be back in contention for next weekend's home match against Stoke, while Charlie Austin continues his recovery from a hamstring injury.

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Opta stats

• Burnley have won three of their five Premier League matches against Southampton by a 1-0 scoreline, winning the last two.
• After winning back to back away league games at Turf Moor, Saints are winless in their last four visits (D1 L3), failing to score on the last two occasions - they've never failed to net in three consecutive games there.
• After losing five of his first six matches in all competitions against Southampton as a manager (W1), Sean Dyche has won his last two versus them.
• Premier League games at Turf Moor have seen on average 2.2 goals per game (155 goals in 70 games), the second lowest average in Premier League history, behind only Roker Park (38 goals in 19 games at two per game on average).
• The average position of teams at the start of the day beaten by Southampton this season is 17.4, the lowest in the Premier League.
• Indeed, the Saints are yet to defeat a team starting the day in the top half of the Premier League this season (P15 W0 D6 L9). Their last win of this kind came in April 2017 away at West Brom.
• Southampton goalkeeper Alex McCarthy saved the first five shots on target he faced this season - since then, he has conceded 10 goals from 17 shots on target faced.
• Burnley have collected fewer points in their last 10 Premier League games than any other side (5 - W0 D5 L5).
• The Saints haven't lost any of their last eight Premier League games in which they've started the day in the relegation zone (W4 D4) since a 1-0 defeat to Liverpool in December 2012.
• Johann Berg Gudmundsson's five Premier League assists this season have been worth nine points to Burnley, more than any other player's assists this season.

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Merson's prediction

Five of Southampton's next six games are away from home and that will play in their favour, given their poor home form. They will have highlighted the trip to Turf Moor as on they can win, especially given the run Burnley are on.

I have doubts whether Southampton can win these kind of games away from home, but a point away from home for a club in the bottom three must be considered a good result.

PAUL PREDICTS: 1-1 (9/2 with Sky Bet)

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