Southampton vs Burnley
English Premier League.
Date: Sunday, 16th October, 2016,
Kick-off at 16:00 UK
Venue: St. Mary’s Stadium, Southampton.
The tenth placed Southampton host the newly promoted Burnley, who are fourteenth in the league table for match day 8 clash of 2016/2017 English Premier League on Sunday evening.
Southampton played a goalless with Leicester in the last league encounter before the international break. The saints took their second consecutive draw after a 4 win spell that started from their 3-0 Europa league triumph over Sparta Prague. Claude Puel tutored side sits 10th with 9 points gathered from 7 games.
Burnley suffered an unfortunate defeat to Arsenal in their last league game before the international break. The claret now has 4 defeats in their first 7 league games this season, and has managed 2 wins in their 8 competitive games so far this season. However, Sean Dyche tutored sits 14th on the log with 7 points.
Key Facts
Southampton currently enjoys 3 straight home wins. The saints have also failed to loss in 6 consecutive games.
Burnley has 2 defeat in their first 2 away games this season. The claret gathered 1 win in their last 6 competitive games.
Their current struggles dropped them to the 16th spot of the 20-team league table, only two points above the bottom three relegation zone currently occupied by West Ham United, Stoke City, and Sunderland.
The Boro is coming off a 1-1 draw with reeling team West Ham on the road at the London Stadium on Oct.1 to actually snap a three-game losing streak, as per Daily Mail Online.
After a goalless first 45 minutes of action, the deadlock was finally broken in the 51st minute with a header from Uruguayan striker Cristhian Stuani off a corner kick by Danish forward Viktor Fischer.
The Hammers were able to equalize just six minutes later, though, as French midfielder Dimitri Payet pulled off a stunning goal after zig-zagging around five defenders from Middlesbrough.
Both teams did not score after that as they settled for a share of a point in the overall standings.
Meanwhile, Watford was also held to a 2-2 tie by fellow middling squad Bournemouth at the Vicarage Road on Oct. 1, the Mirror reported.
Bournemouth forward Callum Wilson opened the scoring in the 31st minute to give the visitors a one-point at the halftime interval.
Watford team captain Troy Deeney then leveled the count five minutes after the restart with a close-range shot from a tight angle from an excellent pass by Moroccan midfielder Nordin Amrabat.
The Cherries grabbed the lead again in the 62nd with a goal from Norwegian midfielder Joshua King, but the Hornets found another equalizer just three minutes later with a header from Nigerian striker Isaac Success.
Middlesbrough vs Watford: Head-to-Head Stats
Boro have not beaten Watford at the Riverside for three matches that goes back to 2011. The last two fixtures here have ended in score draws. From the last ten fixtures we have seen Boro win 3, Watford 5 and two draws.
Middlesbrough vs Watford: Prediction
The question is how long can the home team go without winning at home? With Watford they look like Premier League material one moment and ordinary the next. There has been a good rest from the league and if Karanka can convince his players that they start from afresh this could be a solid home win.
Middlesbrough vs Watford: Betting Tips
Middlesbrough to beat Watford at 13/10 (2.30)
Over 1.5 goals at 4/9 (1.44).
Head To Head
Southampton have won three, drawn two, and lost one of their last six games against Burnley.
Stats
Southampton have kept a clean sheet in 60% of their competitive games this season, including 100% of their last six. Burnley have failed to score in 63% of their matches as well, including 100% of their away days.
Team News
Cedric Soares, Jay Rodriguez, and Sofiane Boufal are all expected back in action on Sunday, but the same can't be said of Shane Long, Ryan Bertrand, and possibly Matt Targett. New signing Jeremy Pied is out for the entirety of the season as well.
Tom Heaton is a new addition to Burnley's injury list, with the only other absentee being Ashley Barnes after he suffered another setback. The striker is now expected back next weekend.
