Premier League: Southampton vs Tottenham Hotspur match preview

A look ahead to this weekend’s fixture at St Mary’s Stadium

Tottenham interim manager Tim Sherwood on the sideline during the 2-1 defeat to West Ham in the League Cup quarter-finals (GETTY IMAGES)

It doesn’t seem to be getting any easier for a team that have been eliminated from the League Cup and were on the end of a thrashing from rivals Liverpool in the game before. Tottenham have only just began their search for a permanent manager since the sacking of Andre Villas-Boas, and a trip down to the south coast to play Southampton, who have only lost once this season at St Mary’s, will most certainly be a testing encounter with interim manager Tim Sherwood to continue in charge.

Southampton boss Mauricio Pochettini seems to be getting the most out of his fairly young team. Despite hitting a stumbling block of late without a win in their last five league games, they are looking a lot more complete this year, with Jay Rodriguez and Adam Lallana brandishing form which has earned them both their first England caps.

The Saints have proved hard to score against at home this term, conceding just six goals, three of which came in the defeat to Aston Villa, so it won’t be an easy task for Spurs to complete their third win in a row over Sunday’s opponents.

Tottenham winger Andros Towsend is ruled out with a hamstring injury while midfielder Paulinho is still serving part of his three-match ban for the straight red against Liverpool, although captain Michael Dawson returns to the fray after a suspension of his own. Artur Boruc (hand) and Victor Wanyama (leg) remain on the medical table for Saints, but Morgan Schneiderlin will return in midfield.

KICK-OFF: Sunday, 1.30pm.

PAST THREE MEETINGS:

Tottenham 1 (Bale) Southampton 0, Premier League, May 2013.

Southampton 1 (Rodriguez) Tottenham 2 (Bale, Dempsey), Premier League, October 2012.

Southampton 1 (Quashie) Tottenham 0, Premiership, March 2005.

HEAD TO HEAD:

Southampton wins: 36

Draws: 28

Tottenham Hotspur: 47

STATS:

Southampton:

The Saints have collected only two points in their last five league games.

They have not won any of the eight Premier League matches in which they conceded the opening goal this season.

If they fail to beat Tottenham, it will be their longest winless run under Mauricio Pochettino.

Tottenham:

Tottenham have won three of their last four Premier League meetings with the Saints, including both matches last season.

Spurs conceded only five goals in their opening 10 Premier League fixtures this season but have leaked 16 in the subsequent six.

Excluding penalties, Roberto Soldado has hit only eight shots on target in 14 Premier League appearances for Tottenham.

ODDS:

Southampton to win: 2.5

Draw: 3.1

Tottenham to win: 2.9

TV: Live on Sky Sports 1, Live Super Sunday, 12.30pm.