Southampton v Bournemouth: Prediction, Tips and Odds

Southampton have 10 points to make up as they look to stay in the Premier League and they could have their work cut out for them on Saturday against Bournemouth, who have been flying in the league and have already beaten the Saints 3-1 at the Vitality Stadium this season.

Southampton v Bournemouth betting tips and predictions

Over 2.5 Bournemouth goals - 11/8

It has been a gloomy return to the Premier League for Southampton after they won the Championship playoffs last season and a morale-boosting 2-1 win at Ipswich Town only provides little comfort in a desperate fight against the drop.

That Portman Road victory left the Saints 10 points from safety, but they have acquired fewer than that in the entire season and with a 1-0 FA Cup defeat to second-tier challengers Burnley puncturing the optimism generated by their Suffolk success, they could be up against it again when Bournemouth make the short trip to St Mary’s.

The Cherries saw their 11-match unbeaten league run ended by Liverpool last time, but they have scored seven more goals on their travels than they have at the Vitality Stadium - 24 to 17.

Andoni Iraola’s team have scored at least twice in each of their last seven league away games, something they repeated in last week’s 2-0 FA Cup win at Everton, and their 4-1 win at Newcastle United on the last occasion they were on their league travels means they have a real spring in their step.

Southampton have conceded at least three times in six of their last eight league matches on their own patch, allowing 30 goals in 11 home games, so the value could lie in backing the visitors to score more than 2.5 goals on their Saturday visit.

Justin Kluivert anytime goalscorer - 13/8

Bournemouth’s Justin Kluivert is demonstrating that he is more than the owner of a famous football surname and he leads the Cherries’ scoring charts in their impressive campaign with 11 goals.

Six of those strikes have come from the penalty spot, including all three components of his hat-trick in the 4-2 win at Wolves in November, and he scored five goals in three matches before his side’s 2-0 defeat to Liverpool.

He had three attempts at goal that day despite the Reds ending the south-coast outfit’s impressive unbeaten run and Kluivert also claimed another treble in the 4-1 win at Newcastle, which will probably go down as the most impressive result Iraola’s team have posted so far.

Kluivert clearly has his eye in and it would not be a shock if he boosted his tally further against the top flight’s shakiest rearguard.

Jan Bednarek to be booked - 7/4

Southampton midfielder Flynn Downes has picked up nine bookings in the Premier League this season, but he faces a late fitness test on Saturday after sustaining a knock, so it looks sensible to look elsewhere for a bookings bet.

One alternative is provided by central defender Jan Bednarek, who picked up his fifth caution of the season in their victory at Ipswich a fortnight ago.

The towering Pole has committed 13 fouls in his last six league appearances, including three in that Portman road success and, should he be exposed by Bournemouth’s pacy attack, it would not be a surprise if he added to his tally of cautions.

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Southampton v Bournemouth odds

Southampton - 19/4
Draw - 10/3
Bournemouth - 8/15

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.