It would have been nice if Southampton had little to play for when they turn up at Dean Court. However, with their first defeat in seven still fresh in their minds and only three points outside the top six, there is every reason for the Saints to do AFCB no favours tonight.
With a positive goal difference of nine and plenty of goals coming from the feet and heads of Shane Long and Charlie Austin, there is an an unease about facing the Saints at the moment. Long is an injury doubt but the Saints have other options and the Cherries are likely to have to be wary of James Ward-Prowse who has shown he is starting to grow at this level, while Dusan Tadic is also worth attention for his ability to pop up with goals. At the back too they are strong with Fraser Forster having just set a club record for not conceding, even though Chelsea got the better of him in the end at the weekend.
Eddie Howe has to find some way of playing positively against the Saints from the start. Their quality in the last third is excellent and the battle for possession in this game could be key as if Southampton get a platform they have the players to find a finish in a snap moment if they are controlling the game.
The Cherries record against Southampton is pretty poor, but that mental block has to be overcome sooner or later. We have not seen many dominant performances from the side at home this season and when they have played well like against Norwich, for example, it was the finishing power of Afobe that mattered. Getting him on the ball and running at goal is going to be important. Gradel (or Pugh) and Ritchie must also take the fight to the Saints. We have seen the Cherries' finishing more than anything costing them points of late and a goal rush now would start to build some momentum which is what the side needs most of all right now.
One win at home in the last five for AFCB is not something that the players can be too pleased about, but they can do something about that tonight. UTCAID!
Possible AFCB team (4-1-3-2)
Boruc (GK), Smith (RD), Francis (CD), Cook (CD), Daniels (LD), Ritchie (RM), Surman (CM), Arter (CM), Gradel (LM), King (FW), Afobe (FW)
Saints Away Form
LLWDW
AFCB Home Form
DLWLL
With a positive goal difference of nine and plenty of goals coming from the feet and heads of Shane Long and Charlie Austin, there is an an unease about facing the Saints at the moment. Long is an injury doubt but the Saints have other options and the Cherries are likely to have to be wary of James Ward-Prowse who has shown he is starting to grow at this level, while Dusan Tadic is also worth attention for his ability to pop up with goals. At the back too they are strong with Fraser Forster having just set a club record for not conceding, even though Chelsea got the better of him in the end at the weekend.
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| Arter made his Premier League debut against Southampton in November. Can he have more of an impact now on this game? |
One win at home in the last five for AFCB is not something that the players can be too pleased about, but they can do something about that tonight. UTCAID!
Possible AFCB team (4-1-3-2)
Boruc (GK), Smith (RD), Francis (CD), Cook (CD), Daniels (LD), Ritchie (RM), Surman (CM), Arter (CM), Gradel (LM), King (FW), Afobe (FW)
Subs
Federici, Elpjick, Distin, Gosling, Iturbe, Pugh, Murray
Federici, Elpjick, Distin, Gosling, Iturbe, Pugh, Murray
Saints Away Form
LLWDW
AFCB Home Form
DLWLL
AFCB are set to help raise funs for Wimborne Town on Wednesday with a friendly. Remember The Back of the Net podcast is scheduled for release later today.
The Cherry Chimes Newsletter is also out today.
Cherry Chimes' March Newsletter brings you the best stories on the blog and the thoughts behind them from last month, plus there is a special Newsletter article entitled: Afobe underlines lower league quality.
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