September 30. 22:00. Bournemouth. Dean Court Stadium
English Premier League. Matchday 6
Bournemouth – Southampton
Where to watch: Seventy Sports
Suspended: Jack Stephens (Southampton)
Injured: Tyler Adams, Kamaldeen Suleman, Gavin Bazunu
Bournemouth vs Southampton: Bookmakers’ Odds
Bournemouth
Bournemouth has made significant progress under the guidance of Andoni Iraola. However, considering the end of last season, the Cherries have managed just one victory in their last eight Premier League matches, which places additional pressure on the team. October sees Bournemouth facing three consecutive opponents from England in the Champions League (Arsenal, Aston Villa, Manchester City), making the next two matches against newly promoted teams in the Premier League crucial. Iraola’s side needs maximum results; otherwise, they risk entering November in the relegation zone.
Statistics reveal that the Cherries have been performing quite well, deserving far more than the five points they currently hold after the first five rounds. In terms of xG (expected goals), Bournemouth ranks fourth, trailing only Liverpool, Manchester City, and Aston Villa. However, the team’s effectiveness in finishing attacks has been lacking. The Cherries have missed five goals, equivalent to three lost points, which can be attributed to the sudden departure of Dominic Solanke. The club’s record signing, Evanilson, has yet to justify his hefty price tag, failing to score in five appearances.
Southampton
The Saints came very close to claiming their first win of the season in the previous round. Against another newly promoted side, Ipswich Town, Russell Martin’s team took the lead within five minutes. The goal was orchestrated by two different generations of Southampton alumni: 36-year-old Adam Lallana, who returned to the club this summer, provided the assist, while 18-year-old Tyler Dibling scored his first Premier League goal. The St. Albans native promises to be a real revelation this season, showcasing an impressive level of composure and confidence for his age, accompanied by creativity and determination. At just 18 years and 217 days, he became the fourth-youngest goalscorer for Southampton in the Premier League after Michael Obafemi, Dexter Blackstock, and Sam Gallagher.
Unfortunately for Dibling, his debut goal was not the match-winner. In the dying seconds of stoppage time, the Saints conceded to Sam Morsy and were ultimately left settling for a 1-1 draw.
Bournemouth vs Southampton: Author’s Prediction
Previous encounters between the teams in the Premier League have not been known for high scoring. In the 2022-2023 season, Bournemouth and Southampton exchanged away victories of 1-0, and the home team in this fixture has not scored in four consecutive matches across all tournaments. I expect this trend to come to an end. Both teams are inclined to attack and do not boast reliable defenses. My prediction: both teams to score + total over (2.5).
