A local derby looks to produce a bit of history as Southampton hosts struggling Bournemouth at St. Mary’s, live at 11 a.m. ET on USA or live online at NBC Sports Live Extra.
The visitors have to travel just 30 miles north-east to reach St. Mary’s, and will look to capitalize on Sunderland’s loss and put more distance between themselves and the relegation zone.
Bournemouth, the perfect Premier League Cinderella story, has had horrible injury luck this season. With big signings Tyrone Mings and Max Gradel both out with knee ligament injuries, the club has had to scrap for results. Today, goalkeeper Artur Boruc is out with an ankle injury, so Adam Federici comes into the side. 25-year-old Irish midfielder Harry Artur gets his first Premier League appearance in the middle of the field.
WATCH LIVE: Southampton vs Bournemouth live online at NBC Sports Live Extra
Southampton, currently in 10th position, will look to make a solid move into the top half of the table at home. A win would push them into seventh place level with Liverpool and Tottenham.
The Saints get Saido Mane back after he served a suspension midweek in the League Cup win over Aston Villa, while Jay Rodriguez remains out with a lingering foot problem. After missing all of last year with an ACL tear, Rodriguez was supposed to make his triumphant return this year, but he’s been a fringe player as injuries continue to wreak havoc on his playing time.
LINEUPS
Southampton: Stekelenburg, Cedric, Clasie, Fonte, S. Davis, Mane, Tadic, Wanyama, Van Dijk, Pelle, Bertrand.
Subs: Davis, Yoshida, Romeu, Ward-Prowse, Junami, Ramirez, Caulker.
Bournemouth: Federici, Smith, Francis, Distin, Daniels, Ritchie, Gosling, Surman, Arter, Pugh, Murray.
Subs: Allsop, Cargill, MacDonald, Stanislas, Tomlin, Kermorgant, King.
