Bournemouth vs Southampton: Prediction, Preview & Betting Tips

Both teams have had tough starts to the season, especially Southampton. However, we are backing the hosts Bournemouth to pick up their second win of the campaign and pour more misery on the Saints.

The Cherries are in impressive form at home, having lost just twice in their last nine games at the Vitality Stadium. Southampton have yet to win a game in the league this season having given up a stoppage time equaliser to fellow promoted side Ipswich last weekend. Their away form is a cause for concern, winning only twice on their travels in seven competitive fixtures.

Goal-scoring has been relatively straightforward for the hosts, with at least a goal per game. Expect this trend to continue this weekend. Neither side has kept a clean sheet in the league this season. We are predicting goals for both but in a home win – Bournemouth 2-1 Southampton

Southampton make the short trip to take on Bournemouth in the Premier League, still searching for their first win of the campaign.

Date: 30/09/24

Kick-off time: 20:00

Venue: Vitality Stadium

Following promotion from the Championship, it has been a very difficult return to life in the top flight for Southampton. Five games in, they sit in the relegation zone with one point. Though after four consecutive defeats to start the season, they finally picked up a positive result last time out. However, the Saints will see it as a huge missed opportunity to record a win as they squandered a lead to fellow relegation candidates Ipswich in the 95th minute.

They will be facing a Bournemouth side who have made an inconsistent start themselves. The Cherries will be aiming to build on a 12th place finish last season, and have begun this year with five points from a possible 15. It leaves them in 13th with just one win on the season. That one victory came in dramatic fashion as they overturned an 87th minute 2-0 deficit to win 3-2 at Everton. Their two defeats came against superior opposition in Chelsea and Liverpool.

The hosts should be confident in securing three points at home to a team low in confidence. The late blow last weekend could prove demoralising for a Saints squad so close to a first win. Bournemouth will be trying to breach a defence who has conceded nine goals so far, the joint-third worst in the league. Russell Martin’s men conceded just once in each of their first two games, but have allowed at least three goals in two of the last three.

Bournemouth’s club-record signing Evanilson is yet to get off the mark, but should get plenty of opportunities to do so on Monday night. Antoine Semenyo leads the side with two goals so far and he will be hoping to continue his strong start. Southampton have scored just twice as a team, fewer than any other club. Promising youngster Tyler Dibling has one of them and is looking to impress once more.

These two south coast sides have met 11 times in the Premier League since 2016. It is a fixture that has been edged by Southampton of late, with three wins to Bournemouth’s two in this stretch. The last time they faced off was in April 2023 at St Mary’s Stadium. That game ended 1-0 in the visitors’ favour. Marcus Tavernier scored the winning goal. The reverse fixture earlier in the season resulted in the same scoreline but for the visiting side once again. Che Adams was the early goalscorer. In fact, the away team has won the game in each of the last five games, including one FA Cup tie.

Bournemouth vs Southampton will be available to watch on Sky Sports Main Event & Premier League.

Bournemouth

Bournemouth should have a mostly fully fit squad to choose from. Tyler Adams is currently the only player out injured, and he is out until October with a back issue.

Southampton

Jack Stephens remains out through suspension as he serves the last of a three-game ban for a red card received against Man United. Will Smallbone has missed the last two league games but could be set for a return on Monday night.

Bournemouth

In their last five games, Bournemouth have won one, drawn one and lost three. It has been a difficult stretch for the Cherries in recent weeks. This run began with a 1-1 draw against Newcastle in their second game of the Premier League season. Marcus Tavernier gave them the lead in the first half, but this was cancelled out by Anthony Gordon late on.

Their winless start continued into the EFL Cup as they were defeated 1-0 away at West Ham. The winning goal came in the 88th minute from Jarrod Bowen to condemn Bournemouth to an early exit. A first victory of the campaign came in dramatic fashion at Everton. They were 2-0 down at 87 minutes, but three goals in quick succession snatched all three points. After Antoine Semenyo levelled the score, Lewis Cook and Luis Sinisterra scored twice in stoppage time to complete the turnaround.

A loss at home to Chelsea meant they were unable to continue this momentum. Evanilson missed a penalty in the first half, which proved costly as Christopher Nkunku scored a late winner. Their most recent game was a tricky trip to Anfield. A disallowed goal denied them the lead, before Luis Diaz scored two goals in as many minutes to take the game away. Darwin Nunez added a third.

Southampton

In their last five games, Southampton have won one, lost two and drawn two. It has been a difficult start to life back in the Premier League for the Saints as they still search for their first win. However, they did pick up a victory to start this run against Cardiff in the EFL Cup. They advanced to the third round of the competition with a thrilling 5-3 win away from home.

They were unable to bring this form into the league as they lost 3-1 at Brentford. Bryan Mbeumo (x2) and Yoane Wissa scored before Yukinari Sugawara netted a late consolation. Southampton’s struggles continued at home to Man United. A missed penalty from Cameron Archer denied them a chance to take the lead, and this woke up their visitors. United ended up comfortably winning 3-0 with goals from Matthijs de Ligt, Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho.

Attention shifted back to the EFL Cup in which they took on Everton. The game finished 1-1 after 90 minutes following two first-half goals from Abdoulaye Doucoure and Taylor Harwood-Bellis. That sent the game to a penalty shootout which Southampton won 6-5. In their last game, they were denied a first league win of the season against Ipswich. Tyler Dibling gave them a fifth minute lead but Sam Morsy equalised in the 95th minute.

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