Real Football Man All of the Football, All of the time
Southampton go into this game with their hopes of a Europa League place next season very much alive. There are all kinds of permutations as to what will actually secure a place depending on the outcome of the F.A. Cup Final and the Europa League Final but Manager Ronald Koeman will know going into the game that the higher the finish up the table the less reliant they will be on other sides to do them a favour
Ronald Koeman was linked with the Everton job on Friday after the sacking of Roberto Martinez but he was very quick to dismiss that speculation in what in all fairness would have been a sideways move at best with the two clubs current trajectory. Southampton fans can no doubt breathe a sigh relief now that speculation has been quelled.
If results go their way they could still finish as high as 5th and secure an automatic Europa League spot this Afternoon. Their late season form has been impressive with them picking up 13 points from a possible 15 and last weekend they went to White Hart Lane and came away with all 3 points thanks to a Steven Davis brace,
They go up against a Crystal Palace side who it’s fair to say will have both eyes on the F.A. Cup Final next Weekend. If they were to win that then it may in turn take away Southampton’s European place so I think it’s fair to say there isn’t going to be much support for Palace on the South Coast next Saturday.
It’s really not been a good 2016 for Crystal Palace, only two wins since the turn of the year which came at home to relegated Norwich. It’s fair to say that the cup run has papered over the cracks, it may also be fair to say that it’s kept Alan Pardew in a job. Last time out they beat Stoke at Selhurst Park. A win which has bookended that terrible run of form as it was Stoke who they beat in December which was the last sign of life in the Premier League campaign.
For Palace it’s all about how high they can finish up the table so they can get some more prize money and in turn an increased transfer budget, they could finish anywhere from 12th to 16th so although the focus is on the cup they will still have some vested interest in this Afternoon’s game.
With Alan Pardew already stating that key players will be rested, I think Southampton have got a free hit in terms of boosting their hopes of a Europa League place for a second season in a row. I think it will be a home win for The Saints it then just depends how the other results go and whether they need to start finding their passports. Home win for me.
Papa Johns – If your team scores twice then it’s half price
