Relegation-battling Southampton host inconsistent Tottenham Hotspur at St Mary’s Stadium.
Victory could see rock-bottom Southampton move to within five points of safety if Crystal Palace lose elsewhere, whilst Tottenham can go tenth if Brentford lose at Chelsea.
Team News
Southampton could welcome Jan Bednarek after he missed their recent matches with a knee injury.
Paul Onuachu (unspecified) is a doubt and faces a late fitness check.
Aaron Ramsdale (finger), Jack Stephens (suspension), Juan Larios (fitness), Will Smallbone (thigh), Ross Stewart (calf), Adam Lallana (hamstring) and Gavin Bazunu (Achilles) remain ruled out.
Tottenham will be without Yves Bissouma after he was red carded in their 4-3 league loss to Chelsea last weekend.
Rodrigo Bentancur is also banned as he continues to serve a domestic suspension.
Guglielmo Vicario (ankle), Mickey van de Ven (leg), Cristian Romero (quad), Ben Davies, Wilson Odobert and Richarlison (all hamstring) are sidelined.
When is Kick-Off?
Southampton host Tottenham at St Mary’s Stadium on Sunday 15 December at 7pm GMT, live on TNT Sports 1 in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Southampton have won one of their last six meetings against Tottenham (W1, D2, L3).
- Tottenham have won one of their last six league visits to Southampton (W1, D3, L2).
- Ex Saint – James Ward Prowse scored in each of Southampton’s last two meetings against Tottenham.
- Southampton have scored seven goals in their last five league games at home.
- Bissouma has been booked in each of Tottenham’s last two domestic away trips (W1, L1).
Prediction
Sat eight points from safety, Southampton really need to start putting points on the board but they must show more attacking intent than we saw at Aston Villa although they did well defensively to lose by just one goal.
Tottenham meanwhile are just inconsistent and were lucky to draw at Rangers in the Europa League on Thursday, having produced a lacklustre effort until Dejan Kulusevski and Dominic Solanke saved their blushes.
Throw in heavy defensive injuries and two suspended central midfielders here and Tottenham must start on the front foot, otherwise I fancy Southampton to snatch a draw unless they score first then defend resolutely.
Prediction: Southampton 1-1 Tottenham
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