Both Southampton and Tottenham started the season in great form, but have since fallen back to mid-table positions, and for one of the managers this caused him the job. Sunday the two sides clash in what we believe can be Match of the Week.

Southampton FC v Tottenham Hotspur
St Mary's Stadium
Premier League Round 17
22-12-2013 @ 13.30 UK









How are the two teams form?

Southampton have played 1-1 in their last two Premier League matches against Newcastle away and Manchester City home. However, the Saints have now won since the 4-1 victory against Hull in the start of November.

After winning two Premier League and one Europa League match followed up the the humiliating 0-5 defeat against Liverpool yesterday, Andre Villa-Boas was sacked this morning. Despite a promising start and a great investment in the squad, the team never seemed to find the right form.

However, on Sunday it speaks for three points to Spurs as they have won the last two meetings between the sides.

What are the probable line ups?

Artur Boruc is out with a hand injury while Southampton also will have to look away from Nathaniel Clyne, Kelvin Davis and Daniel Fox who are all suffering from a knock. The last player on the Saints' injury list is Victor Wanyama who is struggling with a leg injury. For Tottenham, Emmanuel Adebayor is out with a knee injury while Younes Kaboul is suffering from a thigh injury and Harry Kane is sidelined with a bad knee. Furthermore, Jan Vertonghen is out with an ankle injury, and Paulinho is serving a ban.

Gazzaniga

Chambers - Fonte - Lovren - Shaw

Cork - Ward-Prowse

Lallana - Davis - Rodriguez

Osvaldo
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Soldado

Lennon - Holtby - Chadli

Sandro - Dembele

Walker - Dawson - Chiriches - Rose

Lloris

What to expect from this match?

Despite winning the last two matches against Southampton, Tottenham are in my eyes not favorites in this match. They have just sacked their manager, which can be a good thing, but I don't see them changing their play in a week. That said, Southampton have not won since November and with their current form this could easily be the third draw in a row. However, as both sides needs three points to be even close to the top of the table they will have to come out and play some attacking football. Osvaldo and Lallana are the two players with most potential for goals in my opinion why Tottenham will have to mark them tightly. If they are capable of during so, the Saints will have problems in front. I expect this match to end as a draw, possibly 2-2.

What are the odds?

William Hill has Southampton as favorites with a 17/11 bet while BetVictor gives back 2 on a Spurs victory. However, most of the bookmakers predict a draw with a 23/10 at SkyBet and Unibet.