It’s midweek matchday as Southampton host Tottenham Hotspur at St Mary’s Stadium in the Premier League.
THE MATCH
Saints vs Spurs
Premier League
St Mary’s Stadium
Tuesday 28th December, 3pm GMT
THE OFFICIALS
Referee: Anthony Taylor.
Assistants: Dan Robothan, Derek Eaton.
Fourth official: Graham Scott.
VAR: Andy Madley.
Assistant VAR: Richard West.
WHAT’S AT STAKE?
Saints will be looking to build on their impressive victory over West Ham on Boxing Day to finish 2021 on a high.
It has been a mixed season so far for Saints who continue to look impressive against some of the top sides in the league, a trend they’ll be hoping to continue on Tuesday.
Victory over Crystal Palace on Saturday saw Spurs leapfrog West Ham in the Premier League standings.
The North London side have had a total change in fortunes since Antonio Conte took over at the beginning of November.
Having not lost a game since taking charge, Conte’s Spurs will be looking to close the gap between themselves and fourth place Arsenal with victory at St Mary’s.
TEAM NEWS
Jack Stephens, Nathan Tella and Lyanco will all remain absent on Tuesday as they recover after receiving positive coronavirus tests.
Alex McCarthy remains out for the hosts, but Fraser Forster’s return on Sunday acts as a huge boost for Hasenhüttl’s side.
For the visitors, Cristian Romero and Ryan Sessergnon are the only likely absentees.
THE MANAGERS
Ralph Hasenhüttl: "They are working harder, have definitely made a step forward. They are one of the best teams in the league. But we are not scared. We have shown that against top teams we can take points and this is our plan for Tuesday.”
Antonio Conte: “When you have this type of situation if you have a strong squad it’s easier, because you can make rotation and try to give rest and have a fresher team. We will see tomorrow because I want to understand the real physical condition of my squad.”
ONES TO WATCH
Moi Elyounoussi: Elyounoussi used Saints’ trip to West Ham on Boxing Day to make a statement to boss Ralph Hasenhüttl. Giving Saints the lead after just eight minutes, the boss praised the Norwegian's performance at London Stadium.
Son Heung-min: The 29-year-old has been involved in 12 goals in 11 Premier League games for Spurs against Saints [9 goals, 3 assists], more than he has versus any other side in the competition.
Southampton:
Goals:
Armando Broja 6
Moi Elyounoussi 5
James Ward-Prowse, Ché Adams 4
Assists:
Nathan Redmond 5
Ward-Prowse, Walker-Peters 3
Elyounoussi, A. Armstrong 2
Spurs:
Goals:
Son Heung-Min 9
Harry Kane 8
Lucas Moura 5
Assists:
Lucas Moura 5
Son, Reguilón 3
Kane, Højbjerg 2
HEAD TO HEAD
Played: 199
Saints: 64
Draws: 50
Spurs: 85
LAST FIVE MEETINGS
April 2021: Spurs 2-1 Saints (Ings)
September 2020: Saints 2-5 Spurs (Ings)
February 2020: Spurs 3-2 Saints (Long, Ings)
January 2020: Saints 1-1 Spurs (Boufal)
January 2020: Saints 1-0 Spurs (Ings)
DID YOU KNOW?
- Southampton have lost just once at home in the Premier League this season (W2 D5), and are unbeaten in their last five at St Mary’s (W2 D3). They last had a longer unbeaten home run in the competition between March and October 2016 (9 games).
KEEP UP TO DATE
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