Bournemouth vs Southampton Preview
- Draw or Bournemouth to win
- Evanilson to score
In the first South Coast derby of the season, Bournemouth host Southampton at the Vitality Stadium as both teams look to end their respective poor runs in the Premier League.
Bournemouth’s Struggle for Form and Goals
Bournemouth enter’s this clash following two consecutive Premier League defeats, both without scoring a single goal.
The Cherries will be aiming to bounce back and avoid losing three successive top-flight matches ‘to nil’—a streak they haven’t experienced since the conclusion of the 2022/23 season.
The Cherries are still searching for their first home league win this season (D1, L1) and face the added challenge of a poor home record against Southampton.
Bournemouth have not won a home head-to-head (H2H) fixture against the Saints since March 2016 (D2, L4), failing to score in their last four encounters at the Vitality Stadium.
However, their overall league form at home has been respectable, with a record stretching back to last season of W4, D3, L2, and scoring in all but one of those matches.
This should give them hope of breaking both their current losing streak and their goal-scoring woes in H2H fixtures.
Southampton’s Winless Run and Road Struggles
Southampton also have a streak they’re desperate to break, as they remain winless in the Premier League this season (D1, L4). Last week, the Saints were denied their first victory when Ipswich scored a late equaliser, resulting in a frustrating 1-1 draw.
After the match, manager Russell Martin expressed his “anger and disappointment” but emphasised that the team is “getting better” with each game, suggesting that their first win could be just around the corner.
However, Southampton’s struggles on the road are well-documented, with the Saints failing to win any of their last nine Premier League away matches (D2, L7).
To compound their challenges, Russell Martin has never secured a managerial victory against Bournemouth in H2H encounters (D1, L2), and his side has conceded three or more goals in each of those meetings. This will be a key area of focus as they look to secure their first league win of the season.
Players to Watch
Evanilson (Bournemouth): The Brazilian forward, a high-profile signing this summer, is yet to open his goal account for the Cherries.
If he is to find the back of the net in this derby, it may come early, as six of his last seven club goals have arrived before the hour mark. Bournemouth fans will be hopeful that he can kickstart his scoring form against their local rivals.
Tyler Dibling (Southampton): The 18-year-old has quickly made a name for himself after scoring his first goal for Southampton against Ipswich.
Dibling’s recent performances have caught the eye, reportedly drawing interest from Manchester United, and he’ll look to make an impact in this crucial derby fixture.
Key Stats and Form
- Bournemouth have not lost three successive Premier League games ‘to nil’ since the end of the 2022/23 season.
- The Cherries have a W4, D3, L2 record at the Vitality Stadium in the Premier League, scoring in all but one of those matches.
- Southampton are winless in their last nine away Premier League matches (D2, L7).
- Russell Martin’s teams have conceded 3+ goals in each of their last three managerial H2Hs against Bournemouth.
Conclusion
With both teams looking to break negative streaks, this South Coast derby promises to be a fascinating encounter.
Bournemouth will be eager to claim their first home win of the season and rediscover their scoring touch, while Southampton seek to end their winless run and improve their poor away form.
Expect a hard-fought battle as both sides aim to secure crucial points in their Premier League campaigns.
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