Here’s our Southampton Vs Tottenham preview, prediction, team news and confirmed lineups ahead of Sunday’s Premier League clash on the South Coast.
Southampton Vs Tottenham Preview
Neither side are enjoying a positive festive period heading into this weekend. Both Southampton and Tottenham are enduring torrid runs, with the managers at each club beginning to come under pressure.
Tottenham have taken just three points from five games in all competitions since they thumped Manchester City 4-0 last month.
That is their only win in their last eight fixtures, with them losing ground on all fronts.
Spurs have slipped into the bottom half of the Premier League table, and are now out of the Europa League top eight on goal difference.
Their away form has been of particular concern, with Postecoglou’s men losing 14 times on the road in the Premier League this year.
Southampton, meanwhile, will remain bottom of the table regardless of Sunday’s results.
Russell Martin has stated his side’s points tall of five in 15 games is “hurtful and embarrassing”, but also believes bad luck and poor officiating have played their part.
Saints’ only league win of the season was a scrappy 1-0 against Everton, while they have also drawn with Ipswich and Brighton.
With the South Coast side now eight points from safety and boasting the lowest goals tally in the division (11), fans are already calling for Martin to go.
The board at St. Mary’s seem reluctant to part ways with a manager who guided them back to the Premier League last term, but results will need to improve quickly.
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) December 10, 2024
Southampton Vs Tottenham Team News
Rodrigo Bentancur will serve the last game of his five-match suspension on Sunday. He is joined on the naughty list by Yves Bissouma, who picked up his fifth yellow card while conceding a penalty for fouling Moises Caicedo against Chelsea.
Also missing after the Chelsea defeat will be the injured duo of Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven (both thigh).
Wilson Odobert (hamstring), Mikey Moore (illness), Richarlison (hamstring), Ben Davies (hamstring) and Guglielmo Vicario (ankle) are all sidelined as well.
Following his dreadful midweek performance which saw him hooked at half-time, Timo Werner should drop out of the starting XI for Dominic Solanke.
Southampton have their fair share of unavailability, but do welcome back some key men this week.
Striker Paul Onuachu impressed in defeat against Liverpool and the Nigerian is back in contention this weekend. Also available is Polish defender Jan Bednarek.
Captain Jack Stephens is suspended after being sent off in the 5-1 defeat to Chelsea. Aaraon Ramsdale had hoped to be fit again after recovering from a broken finger, but Russell Martin has confirmed the keeper is not quite ready.
Will Smallbone (thigh), Juan Larios (muscle), Adam Lallana (thigh), Ross Stewart (calf) and Gavin Bazunu (Achilles) are out.
Southampton Vs Tottenham Confirmed Lineups
Southampton: McCarthy; Walker-Peters, Harwood-Bellis, Bednarek, Manning; Downes, Aribo, Fernandes; Dibling, Kamaldeen, Armstrong (c)
Tottenham: Forster; Spence, Gray, Dragusin, Udogie; Kulusevski, Sarr, Bergvall; Maddison, Solanke, Son
Southampton Vs Tottenham Prediction
Both sides have their well-documented problems, but Southampton have looked woeful at times. Their risky play-style has cost them ten errors leading to goals, but Martin shows no signs of changing tactics.
Tottenham are in need of a result, and will feel Sunday’s trip to the league’s bottom club is a great opportunity.
Error free, Saints might stand a chance, but we think Tottenham will bounce back with a much-needed victory.
Prediction: Southampton 1-2 Tottenham