Southampton and Norwich City measure forces at St. Mary’s Stadium, in a match for the 15th round of the Premier League. The history of recent direct confrontations between these two teams indicates total balance, as there was 1 draw and 1 victory for each team in the last 3 games. The last direct confrontation between these two teams, on 18-01-2017, ended with Southampton’s victory by (1-0). In this match, the home factor may be decisive, since Southampton presents considerable differences in its results at home and as a visitor.
Southampton :
After 3 wins, 3 draws and 8 losses, the home team is currently in 18th place, with 12 points won. In their last game, they won at Watford at home by (2‑1), after in the previous game they had tied for (2‑2) outside, in a match against Arsenal. This is a team that curiously has been stronger as a visitor than in their home games, since in the last 30 matches they have recorded 7 wins, 3 draws and 5 losses as a visitor; against 5 wins, 3 draws and 7 losses in his stadium. In their last 7 home games for the championship Southampton won 1, drew 1 and lost 5, so he won 4 points in 21 possible. His defense has not been very solid, since he suffered goals in 9 of the last 10 games, but his attack has scored regularly, since he scored goals in 9 of the last 10 games for this competition. In their home matches there is a tendency for goals, since 16 of their last 21 matches have ended with Over 2.5 goals. In 14 games in the competition, he suffered the first goal 9 times and only got 1 comeback. In the last 8 home games for all competitions there are 2 periods that stand out: they scored 3 of their 7 goals between minutes (76′-90 ‘) and 3 of their 7 between (46′-60’).
Southampton comes to this motivated match, after a 2-1 home victory against Watford: Ings and Ward-Prowse scored the victory goals. The home team generally plays in a tactical system in 4-4-2, favoring a faster style of play and constant transitions. In this tactical drawing, the two men responsible for launching the panic in the rival defense are Obafemi and Ings. It should be noted that in the midfield they should play Redmond, Hojbjerg, Ward-Prowse and Djenepo. Coach Ralph Hasenhuttl should not be able to count on Vestergaard and Armstrong for being injured.
Norwich City :
The visiting team is currently in 19th position, with 11 points won, after 3 wins, 2 draws and 9 losses. In the penultimate match, he won out against Everton by (0-2). In the last game, he tied at home against Arsenal by (2-2). This is a team little affected by the home factor, that is, it presents similar results at home and away, since in the last 30 matches it records 5 wins, 4 draws and 6 losses as a visitor, with 18 goals scored and 21 suffered; against 6 wins, 3 draws and 6 losses in his stadium, with 28 goals scored and 32 suffered. In its last 7 away matches for the championship, Norwich City records 1 victory, 1 draw and 5 losses, so it has won 4 points in 21 possible. The team allowed goals to the opponent in 8 of the last 10 games for this competition, so he was not very strong defensively. In 14 games in this tournament, he suffered the first goal 9 times and never got the comeback. In the last 9 home matches for all competitions there is 1 period that stands out: he suffered 5 of his 13 goals between minutes (16′-30 ‘).
The Norwich comes for this round after a draw at home, by 2×2, against Arsenal. Unlike the opponent of this round, the visiting team usually plays in a 4-3-3, in which the three most advanced players are Cantwell, Pukki and Hernández. Acting as a visitor, Norwich is expected to adopt a more defensive stance, in addition to the quality of the rival he will face. It should be noted that the visiting coach may not count on Hanley, Drmic and Klose, for being injured.
