Burnley v Southampton preview: Jose Fonte to miss Turf Moor trip
Saturday 14 January 2017 15:35, UK
Southampton will be without captain Jose Fonte as they look for their first Premier League win in a month at Burnley on Saturday.
Fonte has handed in a transfer request and was not in the squad for the 1-0 EFL Cup semi-final first-leg win over Liverpool on Wednesday.
"I prefer for the moment staying [with] Jose out of the team,” said manager Claude Puel. “To leave him the opportunity to study different solutions for him and for us to stay focused about all the players who are available to start in the team."
While Saints are one step away from reaching the EFL Cup final, they have not won in the league since beating Bournemouth on December 18.
"We have lost points in the Premier League and we have to come back with a good answer," said Puel this week.
Burnley have excelled at home this season, earning all but one of their 23 points at Turf Moor, and scoring 19 of their 22 league goals there.
Team news
Scott Arfield and Johann Berg Gudmundsson are unlikely to feature for Burnley after suffering hamstring injuries in the FA Cup draw with Sunderland last weekend.
George Boyd is set to be recalled and boss Sean Dyche could consider utilising Jeff Hendrick or Michael Kightly on the other flank.
Goalkeeper Tom Heaton and defender Ben Mee are likely to return but Joey Barton, who played 90 minutes on his return to the club in the FA Cup, may have to revert to the bench.
Southampton will check on the fitness of midfielder Steven Davis after he went off during the closing stages of the midweek EFL Cup victory over Liverpool at St Mary's.
Fonte will continue to be left out of the squad after handing in a transfer request, while midfielder Sofiane Boufal has returned from Africa Cup of Nations duty because of a knee injury.
Charlie Austin (shoulder), Matt Targett (hamstring), Alex McCarthy (hamstring) and Jeremy Pied (knee) all continue their recovery.
Opta stats
Burnley have lost two of their previous three Premier League games against Southampton, but did win the other at Turf Moor in December 2014 thanks to a goal from Ashley Barnes.
Southampton haven’t won any of their last three league visits to Burnley, last beating them there in the Championship in October 2007.
The Clarets last failed to score at home in the league against Southampton in March 1971, a run of nine games.
Southampton have lost the most points when leading in the Premier League this season (14) but Burnley are the only side yet to gain a point when trailing.
Saints have lost three consecutive Premier League games for the first time since December 2014 when managed by Ronald Koeman (run of four defeats).
Burnley have won 22 of their 23 points in the Premier League this season at Turf Moor (96%).
Despite their defeat to Manchester City last time out, this remains Burnley’s best ever start to a Premier League season after 20 games (23 points).
Paul Merson's prediction
I was impressed with Southampton in the EFL Cup against Liverpool, but Burnley at home are a different team.
Their home record is phenomenal – and it needs to be for them to stay up. I expect them to win this one.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-0 (16/1 with Sky Bet)
Betting
Southampton are Sky Bet’s 23/20 favourites for the victory with Burnley 5/2 while the draw is priced at 23/10. The Saints were cut to 9/2 to win the EFL Cup following their first-leg win over Liverpool, while Burnley’s are 11/4 for relegation ahead of the weekend.
Shane Long and Jay Rodriguez share favouritism in a wide-open first goalscorer market, with Andre Gray considered the hosts’ main threat at 6/1. Burnley v Southampton features among this weekend’s Super 6 games and you can play for free right here to win £250k.
