Bournemouth vs. Southampton Prediction - 7/19/20
Still battling for survival in the Premier League this season, 18th-placed Bournemouth is about to host 12th-placed Southampton, who are unbeaten in five straight games. Kick-off - at 9:00 AM ET on Sunday, July 19.
Bournemouth Loses To City
The relegation battle of Bournemouth took an unwanted turn after the team ended a two-game unbeaten run (W1 D1) with a 2-1 road defeat against Manchester City at Etihad Stadium on Wednesday. The Cherries gave up 73% of ball possession, but outshot the Citizens 15-8, becoming the first Premier League side since Stoke City in April 2016 to register more attempts at the Etihad than the hosts. David Brooks scored the only strike for Bournemouth, who have lost nine road games in a row and sit 18th in the league (W8 D7 L21), three points below safety.
English striker Callum Wilson leads the Cherries with eight league markers. Goalie Aaron Ramsdale, meanwhile, sits 3rd in the EPL with 119 saves. He has collected five clean sheets in 35 outings this season and gives up a goal every 53 minutes on average. Bournemouth, meanwhile, has scored the 4th lowest amount of goals during the current campaign (37), while taking the 4th lowest quantity of shots per game (10.1). The team is 15th in ball possession (45.9%) and 14th in passing accuracy (75.9%).
Southampton Draws With Brighton
The unbeaten streak of Southampton extended to five Premier League games (W2 D3) after the team banked its third successive draw, leaving things on level 1-1 terms with Brighton & Hove Albion at St Mary’s Stadium on Thursday. After the visitors opened the scoring in the 17th minute of the match, Danny Ings leveled midway through the second half, becoming the first Saints player to score 20 goals in a single Premier League campaign since James Beattie in 2002-03. Southampton are 12th in the standings (W13 D7 L16), safe from relegation, but no longer taking part in the fight for the top-six.
English striker Ings tops Saints scoring table with 20 league goals, having found the back of the net four times in his last five outings. Goalie Alex McCarthy, meanwhile, resides 14th in the Premier League with 74 saves. He has posted six clean sheets in 26 games this year and concedes a strike every 69 minutes of play. Southampton are 10th in most goals scored during the ongoing campaign (46), 6th in most shots delivered per game (13.1), 12th in ball possession (48.5%) and 2nd from the bottom in passing accuracy (72.9%).
Prediction
With Watford sitting just three points above them and having games against Manchester City and Arsenal still to play, Bournemouth know they can still salvage their Premier League safety. A win against Southampton, who have already confirmed their top-tier status for another season, is a must, but will not come easily. The Saints have been in excellent form lately, currently riding a five-game unbeaten run (W2 D3). They have, however, drawn their very last three contests and have seen four of their previous six Premier League encounters with the Cherries finish on level terms as well (W1 D4 L1).
Best bet:
Draw (+260)