Real Football Man All of the Football, All of the time
Bournemouth’s Max Gradel could make his first league start since August after replacing Junior Stanislas at Watford.
Stanislas suffered a hamstring strain in that game and is doubtful. Callum Wilson and Tyrone Mings remain out.
Southampton’s in-form striker Shane Long is nursing a hamstring injury and is rated 50/50 to be available by manager Ronald Koeman.
Influential midfielder Victor Wanyama is serving the third game of a five-match suspension.
Editor’s Note: Bournemouth are keeping themselves just the right side of the dotted relegation line at the moment but that’s more down to the sides below them failing to pick up points then their own success on the pitch.
They’ve not won in 3 matches now and can’t afford to let that run continue too much further as eventually that 5 point cushion they have will be eroded and they will get dragged into a real relegation battle.
Last time out they drew 0-0 away to Watford on Saturday in a game which in all fairness wasn’t a classic. Both teams could have played all day and not scored and Bournemouth will be hoping that their record signing Benik Afobe can get back in the goals after a quiet spell as of late.
Tonight they are the hosts of a South Coast Derby as local rivals Southampton come to town. The Saints lost their first game in 7 matches in the cruelest of circumstances on Saturday, as Branislav Ivanovic scored a 89th minute header to complete a Chelsea comeback and snatch all 3 points.
That winner and Cesc Fabregas leveler were the first goals that Fraser Forster has conceded since returning from long term injury it also saw the Saints slip to 7th and 4 points off of a guaranteed Europa League return next season.
Southampton’s season is in their own hands now, can they push on and cap of a season which by their own admission started slowly or will they fall away and have to make do with a mid table finish. It’s been of a season of fits and starts for Ronald Koeman’s side and he will be hoping that Saturday’s defeat was just a blip.
I think that defeat will just be a small blot on the copybook for Southampton as they look to get back in the Europa League hunt. A local Derby will always be feisty and this one certainly has the potential to deliver but I think Southampton will just edge this. An away win for me.
