Can Southampton maintain their European ambitions

The Saints have been incredibly impressive in 2016, especially given their form at the turn of the year when between 21st November and 2nd January they lost 6, drew 1 and won 1. Flash forward around 2 months and, after following their first game of the year defeat to Norwich with a 2-1 FA Cup loss to Crystal Palace, Southampton have managed to claw themselves back to a position where, in 7th place but only 4 points behind 5th place Manchester United, the Europa League spot is a real possibility.

In the space of a month Southampton went on a 6 game beaten run that saw victories over Watford, West Brom, Manchester United, West Ham and Swansea only broken up by a 0-0 draw against Arsenal at the Emirates. And whilst that run was ended against Chelsea last weekend, an 89th minute winner from Branislav Ivanovic following Cesc Fabregas’ 75th equaliser after Shane Long had opened proceedings just before the end of the 1st half, the Saints were unlucky to not get anything from a game that sporadically dominated. Long’s goal, incidentally, took his tally to 9 this season, the Irishman heading into Tuesday night at a Super Mega PGM of21-16; Graziano Pelle (7 goals all competitions), meanwhile, is also at a Super Mega PGM of 21-16 with January signing Charlie Austin is at 27-32.



Whilst the Saints push for Europe Bournemouth continue to suffer the realities of being a Premier League side, their middling form better than the relegation-threatened Norwich but a way off the top half-eyeing Watford. Not that the Cherries have completely escaped the spectre of the drop; in 15th place with 29 points they are only a few bad results away from fighting it out at the bottom (well not right at the bottom, Villa seem to have that sown up) of the table.

Currently Bournemouth a winless in around a month, consecutive losses against Arsenal and Stoke in the league followed by a goalless draw against Watford, whilst their solid progression in the FA Cup was cut short by a 2-0 home loss to Everton in the 5th round. Yet the Cherries have managed a few surprise performances this season, with wins over both Manchester United and Chelsea back in December, as well as more recently victories over Norwich and Crystal Palace. The continued absence of Callum Wilson, who, tellingly, remains joint top scorer despite being out since the end of September, and a recent injury to Junior Stanislas leaves Glenn Murray as Bournemouth’s best bet going forwards, at Super Mega PGMs of 15-19.

Following the disappointment of Saturday’s defeat to Chelsea the Saints will be looking a swift return to winning form, and our Spreadex traders expect them to just about do as much, offering a Southampton/Bournemouth (h) Goal Supremacy spread of 0-0.2 with a Total Goals spread of 2.2-2.4.

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