A win over south-coast rivals Bournemouth will see Southampton reach the 40-point mark and effectively end further talk of relegation.
Three wins in their last six games have seen Saints edge away from the bottom three and victory over the Cherries will see them move to within just a point of Eddie Howe's men.
Ralph Hasenhuttl has selection dilemmas going into Saturday's home clash, with Ryan Bertrand the latest injury concern. The England international suffered an ankle problem at Watford on Wednesday and is a doubt.
Saints will definitely be without Jannik Vestergaard again, while Hasenhuttl has admitted that Stuart Armstrong is also likely to miss out. Matt Targett has returned to training and is expected to be part of the matchday squad.
Bournemouth head to Hampshire looking for only a third win in 12 Premier League matches and a first victory over Saints since 2016.
The visitors will be without two first-team squad regulars in Junior Stanislas and Adam Smith. Stanislas is facing up to four months on the sidelines after undergoing a hamstring operation, while Howe is unsure whether or not Smith will play again this term.
The two teams drew 0-0 at the Vitality Stadium back in October, while this fixture last season finished in a 2-1 win to Southampton after a brace from Dusan Tadic.
Southampton come into this south coast clash looking to mathematically secure their Premier League status for next season.
Saints are the 5/2 favourites to win and it’s no surprise why when you consider their home form. Ralph Hasenhuttl’s men have won three of their last four games at St. Mary’s Stadium.
Bournemouth’s form, meanwhile, is all over the shop. Eddie Howe’s side followed up their 5-0 demolition job of Brighton with a surprise defeat to already relegated Fulham.
Looking at the head to head record, this is a fixture that has always been closely contested. In seven Premier League encounters, Southampton have managed three wins, Bournemouth one and the other three games have ended as draws.
In those games, only one was ever won by a margin of two or more goals - that came all the way back in 2016.
Bearing all that in mind, the recommendation is to back a home win but only by a winning margin of one goal. This bet is currently priced at a relatively attractive 3/1.
Recommendation Southampton to win by a margin of one goal – 3/1 bet365
Southampton v Bournemouth
Three wins in their last six games have seen Saints edge away from the bottom three and victory over the Cherries will see them move to within just a point of Eddie Howe's men.
Ralph Hasenhuttl has selection dilemmas going into Saturday's home clash, with Ryan Bertrand the latest injury concern. The England international suffered an ankle problem at Watford on Wednesday and is a doubt.
Saints will definitely be without Jannik Vestergaard again, while Hasenhuttl has admitted that Stuart Armstrong is also likely to miss out. Matt Targett has returned to training and is expected to be part of the matchday squad.
Bournemouth head to Hampshire looking for only a third win in 12 Premier League matches and a first victory over Saints since 2016.
The visitors will be without two first-team squad regulars in Junior Stanislas and Adam Smith. Stanislas is facing up to four months on the sidelines after undergoing a hamstring operation, while Howe is unsure whether or not Smith will play again this term.
The two teams drew 0-0 at the Vitality Stadium back in October, while this fixture last season finished in a 2-1 win to Southampton after a brace from Dusan Tadic.
PaddyPower Pre-Match Odds: Southampton 5/2, Draw 10/3, Bournemouth 11/2
Southampton come into this south coast clash looking to mathematically secure their Premier League status for next season.
Saints are the 5/2 favourites to win and it’s no surprise why when you consider their home form. Ralph Hasenhuttl’s men have won three of their last four games at St. Mary’s Stadium.
Bournemouth’s form, meanwhile, is all over the shop. Eddie Howe’s side followed up their 5-0 demolition job of Brighton with a surprise defeat to already relegated Fulham.
Looking at the head to head record, this is a fixture that has always been closely contested. In seven Premier League encounters, Southampton have managed three wins, Bournemouth one and the other three games have ended as draws.
In those games, only one was ever won by a margin of two or more goals - that came all the way back in 2016.
Bearing all that in mind, the recommendation is to back a home win but only by a winning margin of one goal. This bet is currently priced at a relatively attractive 3/1.
Recommendation
Southampton to win by a margin of one goal – 3/1 bet365
Head to Head Comparison
Southampton - Last 5 Matches
AFC Bournemouth - Last 5 Matches