Southampton vs. Tottenham: tale of the tape from St Mary’s
By Gary Pearson
Tottenham travel to the south coast to play at St. Mary’s tomorrow, a place they haven’t lost since Southampton made their return to the Premier League in 2012.
Saints facing pervading adversity
Spurs and Saints are trending in entirely different directions, with the latter failing to win a match in their last 10 Premier League encounters. Mauricio Pellegrino’s men lay claim to the longest winless streak in the top flight and haven’t tasted victory since beating Everton at home on Nov. 26. During the unenviable winless streak, Southampton have allowed 19 goals while scoring just 10.
Tottenham, who had their way with Southampton on Boxing Day, are responsible for five of those 19 tallies. The Saints are marginally better at St. Mary’s than they are on the road, winning three of 12 home matches. Though they’ve accumulated just 13 home points, the fifth fewest in the top flight.
Pressure, like a helium balloon filled with too much air, is mounting on Pellegrino and his coaching staff. A few more poor results could see Southampton dish out marching orders to their Argentinian manager.
Charlie Austin, Southampton’s main attacking threat, is still nursing an injury and is unavailable for the contest.
Tottenham back on fine form
Spurs carry their unbeaten 2018 record into tomorrow’s match, the North London club finding their groove as a number of pivotal fixtures beckon. The Lilywhites, after enduring a streak of five winless away fixtures, have won two on the bounce away from Wembley, keeping both Burnley and Swansea off the score sheet.
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In their last 10 matches, Mauricio Pochettino’s side have tasted defeat twice. They carry their fifth best away record into St. Mary’s, a place that’s been decidedly kind to Spurs. Tottenham are unbeaten in five matches (a draw and four wins) at St. Mary’s and have lost two of 10.
Continuing with their recent dominance over Southampton, Spurs have won nine of their latest 11 matches against the Saints.
According to PremierLeague.com, Dele Alli has five goals and three assists in four top flight appearances against the Saints. Only two players – Alan Shearer v Nottingham Forest and Wayne Rooney v Hull City – have been involved in more goals in as many games against an opponent; they were both involved in nine tallies.
Harry Kane is looking to set another personal milestone, as the world’s most prolific scorer is two away from reaching 100 Premier League goals.
Next: Southampton vs. Tottenham: probable starting 11
Thoroughly enjoying matches on Sunday, Pochettino’s side have won three on the bounce by a combined score of 13-2.
Expect that dominance to continue against a Southampton side reeling near the bottom three, further compounding Pellegrino’s strife.