St. Mary’s Stadium will play host to the clash between two sides struggling for form as 14th-placed Southampton take on 13th-placed Everton on Saturday at 15:00 GMT. Southampton will be looking to bounce back to winning ways after two successive losses in the Premier League, whereas Everton will be looking to continue their five-match unbeaten run.
Match Preview
Can Southampton Bounce Back to Winning Ways?
Although their performances have been brilliant this season, Ralph Hasenhüttl’s men have not always got what they deserved from matches. The Austrian tactician will be looking to rectify this by winning their next match against a resurgent Everton.
Hasenhüttl will focus on the performance levels of the entire team against Everton. The focus will be to ensure that all the 11 outfield players will work hard, run hard, and play with intensity.
Although they keep the ball well, the focus will be to ensure Everton do not get many chances while fashioning goal-scoring chances for the team in the process.
Can Everton make it Two Consecutive Wins in the Premier League?
Frank Lampard will feel that his side finally turned the corner with the tight 1-0 win at home to West Ham last time out.
The former Chelsea manager will look to ensure that his side are solid and compact away from home on Saturday.
However, a compact approach cannot be mistaken for defensive tactics. Instead, Everton will look to be vertical in their passing every time they win possession and commit bodies forward.
This approach will help nullify the Southampton attack while maintaining the attacking side for the Merseyside men and thus giving them a chance to win the clash.
Form Guide
Southampton
Southampton have been in indifferent form over the last five Premier League outings; they have won twice and lost three times in this run. They have collected six points and dropped nine in the process.
The wins for Saints came in matches against Leicester City (1-2) at the King Power Stadium and at home against Chelsea (2-1). The losses came in clashes against Manchester United (0-1), Wolves (1-0), and Aston Villa (1-0).
Ralph Hasenhüttl will look to bolster the consistency of his side as they face Everton at home on Saturday.
Everton
After four consecutive draws in the league, Everton finally won in the clash at home to West Ham last time out, before the international break.
The four draws came in matches against Nottingham Forest (1-1), Brentford (1-1), Leeds United (1-1), and Liverpool (0-0).
The win came in the clash against West Ham before the international break at Goodison Park, which ended in a 1-0 win for the home side.
Frank Lampard will be looking to build on this good run of form when they step out at St. Mary’s Stadium on Saturday.
Possible Starting Lineups
Southampton
Bazunu; R. Perraud, M. Salisu, A. Bella-Kotchap, K. Walker-Peters; I. Diallo, J. Ward-Prowse; A. Armstrong, M. Elyounoussi, M. Djenepo, C. Adams
Everton
Begovic; N. Patterson, C. Coady, J. Tarkowski, V. Mykolenko; A. Onana, I. Gueye, A. Iwobi; D. Gray, N. Maupay, A. Gordon
Players to Watch
C. Adams
The 26-year-old forward has scored two goals in six appearances for Southampton this term. Adams has also grabbed two goals in the one appearance in the EFL Cup.
The forward will lead the line for the Saints on Saturday when they face Everton on Saturday at St. Mary’s.
Adams offers pace, work rate, movement, and a cutting edge in front of goal. He will be crucial in the clash with Everton because of his pressing front the front, which will help put pressure on Everton in their buildup.
A. Gordon
The 21-year-old has made a good start to his breakout season. He has been pivotal for the Goodison Park side this season with two goals in seven appearances for the Merseyside side.
Gordon provides brilliant direct runs, dribbling, and a goal-scoring touch in the opposition’s box. His play out wide is important in stretching defenses and creating chances.
Southampton vs Everton Prediction
Southampton will look to implement their high-energy, high-intensity, possession-based approach in the clash against Everton. They will also press the Goodison Park side across the pitch as they seek to create chances.
Everton will look to be compact playing away from home. They will focus on nullifying the Southampton attacking threat. They will then look to use their pace down the flanks and passing through the middle to open up the Southampton defense.
Given the form and quality of these two teams, a draw is the likely result in this match.