Relegation-threatened Southampton are in desperate need of a result when they visit Goodison Park to take on Everton in the Premier League’s late game on Saturday evening.
Prior to last weekend, the Saints looked destined for the drop after a run of eight top-flight fixtures without a win, but a stunning performance from Dusan Tadic, who bagged a brace, led them to an unexpected 2-1 win over Bournemouth last time out and provided the lifeline that their fans had been so desperately calling for.
With matches against fellow relegation strugglers Swansea and then Manchester City on the final day of the season, a positive result on Merseyside for Southampton could go a long way to securing their Premier League status for another season, almost against the odds.
While Everton have definitely been better than the Saints this season, and have even been in better form leading in to this game having lost just one of their last seven league games, there is a chance they could be slightly complacent this weekend.
There isn’t a whole lot for them to play for with their highest possible finish being seventh, and that’s only if they can overturn a 15 goal deficit to Burnley above them in the table. Leicester City, with three games to play, are four points behind them in ninth and are equally as unlikely to overtake the Toffees, so motivation could be an issue.
Everton manager Sam Allardyce will need to focus on the upcoming World Cup in Russia and remind his players that they are playing for their places in their respective national teams or may struggle to get his players up for this one.
Gylfi Sigurdsson, Eliaquim Mangala, James McCarthy and Mason Holgate remain long-term injury concerns for Allardyce, but Dominic Calvert-Lewin could take part if he passes a late fitness test.
Steve Davis is injured for the Saints, otherwise Mark Hughes has his full squad to choose from.
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