Match Pack: Saints vs Spurs
For the second time this week, St Mary’s plays host to a Premier League clash as Tottenham Hotspur visit the south coast. This and more in our Match Pack, in association with eToro ...
THE MATCH
Saints vs Spurs
Premier League
St Mary’s Stadium
Saturday 18th March, 3pm GMT
THE OFFICIALS
Referee: Simon Hooper
Assistants: Adrian Holmes, Mark Scholes
Fourth official: John Busby
VAR: Tony Harrington
Assistant VAR: Simon Long
WHAT’S AT STAKE?
After a devastating 2-0 defeat to Brentford in midweek, Rubén Sellés’s side go in search of a vital three points when Spurs visit St Mary’s on Saturday.
While Saints still sit bottom of the Premier League table, they remain just two points adrift of safety with 11 games left to play.
Spurs continue their hunt for Champions League qualification as they sit fourth in the current league standings.
Three points in SO14 could prove vital as they look to extend the gap between fifth place Newcastle who sit just four points adrift with two games in hand.
Saints know all too well how difficult it will be to find the back of the net against a flourishing Spurs side, with former Saint Fraser Forster in between the sticks for the North London outfit of late.
TEAM NEWS
Long term absentees Tino Livramento and Juan Larios are the only injury concerns for Saturday’s match.
Kyle Walker-Peters and Ainsley Maitland Niles have returned to training and are both available.
Hugo Lloris, Yves Bissouma, Rodrigo Bentacur and Ryan Sessegnon remain sidelined for Spurs, while Emerson Royal could return to the matchday squad.
“We have analysed the opponent (Spurs) and want to put ourselves in a position to win the game. We are going to go for everything. There is not only one area we need to improve, though, it is everything. From the last third defending and attacking.”
"For this reason we have to pay great attention, be focused, to go with great energy, to prepare very well not only in the tactical aspect but about the mentality. To be focused, to be strong and to be ready to fight in this type of game."
The Saints captain has been involved in more Premier League goals against Spurs than he has any other opponent (four goals, four assists).
Yet to score for Spurs in 18 appearances, the Brazilian has scored more Premier League goals against Southampton than he has any other club, netting five teams in his last seven appearances against the Saints.
Ché Adams 9
James Ward-Prowse 8
Romain Perraud 4
Adams, Ward-Prowse 3
Perraud, Mara, Elyounoussi 2
Harry Kane 22
Son Heung-min 10
Rodrigo 6
Ivan Perisic 9
Dejan Kulusevski 6
Pierre-Emile Højbjerg 5
Played: 202
Saints: 65
Draws: 51
Spurs: 86
August 2022: Spurs 4-1 Saints (Ward-Prowse)
February 2022: Spurs 2-3 Saints (Broja, Elyounoussi, Adams)
December 2021: Saints 1-1 Spurs (Ward-Prowse)
April 2021: Spurs 2-1 Saints (Ings)
September 2020: Saints 2-5 Spurs (Ings)
KEEP UP TO DATE
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