Now the international break is over, Premier League football returns as Southampton prepare to welcome newly promoted Burnley to St Mary’s in their first home game since beating Crystal Palace 2-0 in the EFL Cup on September 21.
Claude Puel’s side will be looking to extend their impressive unbeaten run, which has seen them keep six consecutive clean sheets in all competitions, with Santi Cazorla’s last-gasp winner from the penalty spot at The Emirates over a month ago being the last goal Fraser Forster and Southampton have conceded.
Burnley, on the other hand, also fell victim to a late Gunners goal last time out, as a stoppage-time Laurent Koscielny strike saw Sean Dyche’s men fall to 1-0 home defeat. It’s not been all doom and gloom at Turf Moor, however, with both Liverpool and Watford falling to 2-0 defeats at the home of The Clarets.
In terms of team news, the hosts will be without both first choice full-backs, with both Ryan Bertrand and Cedric Soares picking up hamstring injuries while on international duty for both England and Portugal respectively, meaning Cuco Martina and Matt Targett will be set for a starting place. Shane Long, however, will be expected to be fit after recovering from a minor hamstring strain while away with the Republic of Ireland. Jay Rodriguez will also be expected to return from a groin strain.
As for visitors Burnley, they will be hoping goalkeeper Tom Heaton will be fit after withdrawing from the England squad with a calf problem, with veteran ‘keeper Paul Robinson on stand-by.
I now take a look back at our last four games with The Clarets.
