The new Premier League season kicks off at St Mary’s on Sunday, as Southampton face up to Burnley.
Mark Hughes’ side have had a mixed pre-season, recording three wins, one draw and two losses.
Saints beat Spanish side Celta Vigo in the penultimate match of pre-season at St Mary’s, but go into the season on the back of a disappointing 3-0 loss to Bundesliga club Borussia Mönchengladbach.
Their opponents Burnley have had a very busy pre-season of their own. They have already beaten Scottish side Aberdeen in Europa League qualifying, going through 4-2 on aggregate.
They also played as recently as Thursday evening when they ground out a 0-0 draw in Turkey against Istanbul side Basaksehir.
The Saints have had a busy summer in the transfer market completing five signings. Goalkeeper Angus Gunn, defender Jannik Vestergaard, midfielders Mohamed Elyounoussi and Stuart Armstrong all join, in addition to striker Danny Ings who was snapped up on deadline day.
Mark Hughes has spoken ahead of his side’s season opener this weekend and has revealed his delight to have signed Ings on a season long loan and expects him to play a key role this season.
As reported by ITV, Hughes said:
We’re the perfect club for him at this point in his career.
I think whenever you have a player who has a real feeling for the club that he’s playing for and a special connection and an empathy, I think that makes a difference.
I think fans respond to that as well. I would imagine the first time Danny walks out in a Southampton kit there’s going to be a huge reception for him.
In terms of team news, Saints currently have no players with injuries, but Maya Yoshida and Cedric Soares are both lacking match sharpness after reaching the knockout stages of the World Cup and will be assessed ahead of the opening match of the season.
As for Burnley, they are without a number of first team players with goalkeepers, Nick Pope and Tom Heaton both sidelined with shoulder and shin injuries respectively.
Robbie Brady, new signing Matej Vydra and Chris Wood are all also set to miss the Premier League opener and Steven Defour is having a calf issue monitored.
Burnley boss Sean Dyche is also set to rotate his squad with his side facing the second leg of their Europa League play-off next Thursday at Turf Moor.
Burnley are far more prepared for the season than Southampton, but I feel that the exertions in Turkey during the week this could have a big impact on the match and swing it in the hosts’ favour.
I think that the Saints will make a winning start to the season with a 2-1 victory on Sunday afternoon.
