Monday night Premier League action returns this week with Bournemouth entertaining south-coast rivals Southampton at the Vitality Stadium (20:00).
The Saints are still searching for their first league victory since gaining promotion via the Championship play-offs, while Bournemouth will want to push on as they look for their second success of the campaign.
- BOURNEMOUTH TO WIN AND BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE
- ANTOINE SEMENYO TO SCORE AT ANY TIME
- FLYNN DOWNES TO BE SHOWN A CARD
Cherries Likely To Be Positive
It will not be panic stations at Southampton yet as they went into the weekend as one of six Premier League teams not to have won any of their opening five games, but Russell Martin’s side will see a trip to the Vitality Stadium as a good chance to get off the mark.
The Saints have scored just two top-flight goals so far and failed to register in their opener against Newcastle despite the fact they played more than an hour against 10 men, but they have a strong chance of finding the net against Bournemouth.
The Cherries have kept just two clean sheets in their last 12 league matches on their own patch and their one victory came via a dramatic comeback at Everton when they were 2-0 down with just three minutes of normal time to go.
This is a game Andoni Iraola’s side would have earmarked as a great opportunity for three points, but their defensive record suggests they cannot underestimate the Saints.
The home side should have enough to come out on top and earn just their second home win in six league outings, but expect the visitors to make their mark.
BOURNEMOUTH TO WIN AND BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE
Semenyo Will Not Be Shy In Attacking Areas
While most observers would anticipate that no one in the Premier League will have had more goal attempts than Manchester City goal machine Erling Haaland, it is surprising that Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo is second in the top-flight standings with 24 efforts in his five starts for the Cherries this season.
The Ghana star has claimed just two goals but he even managed to have four efforts on goal in their 3-0 defeat at Liverpool last week and was unfortunate to see one successful strike chalked off when Iraola’s side took a surprise Anfield lead.
He is plainly not afraid to try his luck and looks a big price to add to his tally, which included the important first goal of their memorable comeback at Goodison Park, so expect him to take every opportunity to test Saints goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale.
ANTOINE SEMENYO TO SCORE AT ANY TIME
Downes Should Be In The Thick Of The Action
Southampton midfielder Flynn Downes will not shirk away from the battle at the Vitality Stadium and can be expected to be right at the heart of the action judging by his previous top-flight performances.
Downes has picked up two bookings following the Saints return to the Premier League, against Nottingham Forest and Ipswich, and he was fortunate to escape the referee’s attention in their opening game at Newcastle where he committed five fouls without being cautioned.
With his team desperate to get off the mark and likely to see a trip along the south coast as a great chance to gain their first win, it would not be a surprise if he crossed the line and ended up in the book again.
FLYNN DOWNES TO BE SHOWN A CARD
