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Southampton FC vs Everton FC: Preview and Prediction

By Robert Molnar

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Southampton FC vs Everton. Two clubs battling for European qualification out of the Premier League this season, Southampton FC and Everton FC are set to square off in a match that could play an important role in the table at the season’s end.

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Southampton FC enter this match after drawing Newcastle United last weekend. The match was a back and forth affair that saw the Saints a single point from St. James Park. Now set for their first home match of the Premier League season, Ronald Koeman will look for his side to build on positives from last weekend.

One main positive has to be the play of Southampton FC’s forwards. Goals from Graziano Pelle and Shane Long could prove important to both players confidence levels. Jay Rodriguez was also a bright spot for Southampton as the Englishman returned after spending more than year out with a torn ACL.

Everton will enter this match looking to also secure their first win of the season. Trailing twice against newly promoted Watford last weekend, Everton scored two goals in the matches last fifteen minutes to secure a draw in front of the supporters at Goodison Park.

If the Toffees are to fight for a place in the Premier League’s top seven this season, the club will need to see improvement in their future play. Without Europa League competition to blame this season, Everton manager Roberto Martinez will need secure results in order to retain his job.

One player Everton will need to rely on in this match — and for the entirety of the season — is Tim Howard. The American goalkeeper will need to be stout between the pipes if the Toffees has any hope of securing a result a St. Mary’s Stadium.

Key Stats

  • Everton have lost in the club’s last two trips to Southampton.
  • The Toffees last win at Southampton was back in 2002.
  • The last three times Southampton have hosted Everton have seen the visitors be shutout.
  • Both clubs drew their matches last weekend by a scoreline of 2-2.

Players to Watch

Coming into this season, many believed that the performance of Italian striker Graziano Pelle will be key to Southampton’s chances this season. His performance will be even more important in this match as Southampton seeks it’s first win of the season.

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Scoring the opening goal of the match against Newcastle last weekend, Graziano Pelle looks set for another hot start to the season. With the assistance of Shane Long and a now healthy Jay Rodriguez, the Italian should begin to find more space in the attack. This space will hopefully add to the players goal tally this season.

With Southampton FC’s attacking players seeking to continue their hot start, Everton will need to rely on goalkeeper Tim Howard. The American will need a strong performance between the pipes if the Toffees want to keep the Saints off the scoreboard.

Allowing two goals last weekend against newly promoted Watford was not how Everton wanted to start their season. Keeping the Saints out of the net this weekend will be key toward Tim Howard’s confidence as well as the club’s chances for competing in the Premier League’s mid-table.

With both Southampton FC and Everton FC looking to secure European qualification this season, this match could be an important one at the season’s end. Needing their first wins of the season, the Saints and Toffees will likely go all out to secure a result in this match.

Prediction

Southampton FC — 2, Everton FC — 1

Next: Southampton Sign Midfielder Oriol Romeu

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