Relegation on the Menu at St Mary’s
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Following the single mid-week match in the Premier League we have a full quota of games to look forward to this weekend. One of which involves two teams fighting for survival at the bottom of the league as Southampton welcome Cardiff City to St Mary’s Stadium.
Southampton find themselves in 16th place on 24 points but they are by no means safe and a win in this game would be very welcome. Cardiff City are in 18th place on 22 points and know a win would see them move out of the relegation zone.
Southampton picked up a point in a 1-1 draw at Burnley last weekend and that means they are unbeaten in their last five Premier League matches. The only setback in recent games came in the FA Cup and Southampton were knocked out by Derby County on penalties following a 2-2 draw.
Having lost 3-1 against Manchester City, Southampton have drawn with Chelsea and Burnley away, Crystal Palace at home and defeated Leicester City away and Everton at home.
Southampton have scored at least once in each of their last four Premier League games and only once in their last nine have they failed to find the back of the net. However, the Saints have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last four league matches and have kept just one clean sheet in their last fifteen Premier League games.
Both teams have scored in each of Southampton’s last seven home Premier League games.
Cardiff City came through an emotionally charged match at home against Bournemouth last weekend. It was their first home game since the tragic accident involving Emiliano Sala and Cardiff City did superbly to win the match 2-0 in testing circumstances.
That win will give them some confidence ahead of this trip to Southampton but Cardiff City had failed to win any of their previous six games in all competitions.
Trends show Cardiff City have won just one of their last eleven away Premier League games and have lost nine of their last eleven on the road, including each of their last three in all competitions. The Bluebirds have struggled to score goals away from home in the league and have netted just once in their last four away trips.
Looking ahead to the team news and Southampton will be without striker Danny Ings who was forced off against Burnley and Shane Long could start up-front. Mario Lemina and Michael Obafemi are injured and there is doubt over Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.
Cardiff City are waiting on the fitness of Victor Camarasa, who has been an important player this season. Defender Sean Morrison has been ruled out and Neil Warnock may select the same starting XI from the win over Bournemouth.
However, Southampton have been tough to beat in recent weeks and will feel this is a game they can win. Cardiff City’s away form is poor this season and the Saints should come out on top.
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