Good afternoon! Thank you very much for joining
Sports Mole for today's Premier League showdown as
Southampton host
Tottenham Hotspur at St Mary's!
This contest pits two teams in sharply contrasting form against each other, with Southampton on the longest winless run in the Premier League and Spurs having the chance to climb into the top four today.
It promises to be an intriguing contest, but before we have a closer look at the situations they find themselves in, let's first check out the team news...
SOUTHAMPTON STARTING XI: McCarthy; Cedric, Stephens, Hoedt, Bertrand; Lemina, Romeu, Ward-Prowse, Tadic, Hojbjerg; Gabbiadini
SOUTHAMPTON SUBS: Forster, Pied, Bednarek, Davis, Boufal, Redmond, Obafemi
TOTTENHAM STARTING XI: Vorm; Aurier, Sanchez, Vertonghen, Davies; Dier, Dembele, Sissoko, Dele, Son; Kane
TOTTENHAM SUBS: Gazzaniga, Foyth, Trippier, Walker-Peters, Wanyama, Lamela, Llorente
What can we make of those two teams, then?
Well, we'll start with the visitors and the headline news is that captain Hugo Lloris misses out for Spurs this afternoon having struggled with a bout of flu this week.
The French goalkeeper is replaced in the starting lineup by Michel Vorm, who makes his first Premier League start since April in one of two changes from the side that thrashed Everton last time out.
Lloris is the only player to have been struck down through illness, though, and Spurs will be without another key player in Christian Eriksen this afternoon as he is replaced in the side by Moussa Sissoko.
Aside from that it is the same team that faced Everton last time out, though, with the in-form Son and Dele Alli joining Sissoko in the trop behind Kane. Alli has had a direct hand in eight goals from his four Premier League games against Southampton, scoring five times and assisting three. Only two players - Alan Shearer against Nottingham Forest and Wayne Rooney against Hull City - have ever been involved in more goals from their first four Premier League appearances against a single opponent.
Alli is certainly not the only threat Spurs have coming forward, though, and chief among them will be
Harry Kane once again as he looks to score the two goals he needs to reach 100 in the Premier League - level that of Southampton legend Matt Le Tissier, incidentally.
Kane has scored five goals in his last four league games against Southampton, including a hat-trick in the reverse of Boxing Day, while he has also scored twice and assisted one goal in three games at St Mary's.
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Kane has had a whopping 130 shots in the Premier League this season - 42 more than any other player ahead of this weekend and 32% of Tottenham's overall title, which is another league high. It is no surprise to see him once again leading the way in terms of goalscoring this term, then.
Further back there are starts for Aurier and Davies on the flanks once again, while Dembele continues alongside Dier in the middle of the park.
As for Southampton, their main goal threat in recent games has come from the unlikely source of James Ward-Prowse, who has scored the team's last three goals across all competitions - against Fulham in the FA Cup and two against Watford last time out.
The midfielder had previously gone 25 games without scoring for the Saints, so this is an unusual purple patch which he will be hoping to extend today.
Manolo Gabbiadini will lead the line for the hosts as he replaces Shane Long in the starting lineup, with Long missing out entirely despite no reports of an injury during the build-up to the game.
Gabbiadini enjoyed a bright start to life in England when he arrived at Southampton last January, but he has gone off the boil since then. A goal today could help him nail down a regular starting role once again, though.
Mauricio Pellegrino has made only two changes to his side for this match following the draw with Watford last time out as Long and Davis drop out to be replaced by Lemina and Gabbiadini.
Long will have to wait to make his 300th Premier League appearance, then, while there is no place for Maya Yoshida in the squad as he failed a late fitness test following a recent hamstring injury.
With Van Dijk having also left now, Yoshida's absence means that Stephens and Hoedt continue at the heart of the defence, with Cedric and Bertrand either side of them.
Further forward Tadic and Hojbjerg will be looking to provide some support for Gabbiadini from midfield, although they are likely to spend a large proportion of the game on the back foot if it goes as expected.
The form book and the league table both point to a convincing Tottenham win this afternoon - as was the case in the reverse fixture just last month - and Southampton must be going into this game very short on confidence following a torrid run of form.
Pellegrino's side are winless in their last 10 Premier League games, which is the longest such run currently in the division, picking up only five points from the last 30 on offer since a 4-1 win over Everton in November.
This is already Southampton's longest winless run since 2005 and they have not gone 11 Premier League matches without a victory since 1998, so they are in danger of going into uncharted territory this century this afternoon.
Southampton's league position has predictably suffered with that form too, and results yesterday - namely Stoke's win over Huddersfield Town - saw the Saints drop into the bottom three.
Two points now separate Pellegrino's side from safety, although it is still very tight down at the bottom and victory would see them end the weekend as high as 14th - although anything less than a win will not be enough for them to move.
How Southampton fans might pine for a return to the days of Claude Puel last season now. The Saints reached Wembley in the EFL Cup final and were six points better off than they are at the same stage of this season.
Claude Puel was eventually sacked due to the club's playing style, but results are still the be all and end all and, if things do not improve sooner rather than later, Pellegrino could find himself going the same way.
Indeed, on a day which saw Watford surprisingly sack Marco Silva, a heavy loss here could convince Southampton to part company with their boss this evening.
Southampton's only win since late November came in the FA Cup when they beat Fulham 1-0, and they could lose their opening two home league matches for the first time since 1992.
Indeed, the Saints have not lost back-to-back home games of any kind since September but are winless in their last four outings in front of their own fans. For all of their poor form this season, Southampton have not gone five home games without a win so far this term.
Southampton have failed to keep a clean sheet in any of their last six Premier League home games too, while they have only prevented the opposition from scoring at St Mary's once in their last 11 league home games stretching back to the opening day of the season.
Indeed, it is Southampton's poor form at home which has led to them their precarious situation, with only Newcastle and Swansea having amassed fewer points in front of their own fans.
This is, of course, a return to a former club for Spurs boss
Mauricio Pochettino, who was actually appointed as Southampton manager five years ago this week.
The man in the opposite dugout to him this afternoon may be short on time at the moment due to current form, but during Pochettino's five years in English football he has firmly established himself as one of the brightest young managers in Europe.
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Spurs have been the closest challengers to the eventual champions in both of the past two seasons, but this time around it is all about a Champions League place with Manchester City having taken full control of the title race.
Spurs currently sit fifth in the table, but they are only three points off the top four and victory by a margin of two or more goals today would see them leapfrog Liverpool into fourth.
Liverpool would have the chance to regain their place i the top four when they take on Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium tomorrow night, but this is a good chance for Spurs to steal a march on the Reds after seeing every other team in the top six win yesterday.
Pochettino's side are only one goal behind Liverpool in goal difference, but their inferior goalscoring tally of 46 still gives Liverpool the slight edge and means that it will take victory by two clear goals for Spurs to move above Liverpool.
Tottenham certainly come into this match as the form team having won five and drawn one of their last six matches across all competitions. Indeed, runaway league leaders Man City are the only team to beat Tottenham in the last 11.
Spurs have scored seven goals without reply in their last two outings as well, and they have eight wins from their last 10 across all competitions.
Tottenham's run in the Premier League stands at five unbeaten, and they will be expected to extend that today having averaged three goals per game during that time.
Victory here is made all the more important by the fact that Spurs face a potentially season-defining run in the Premier League after this afternoon, with Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal to come in their next three league games.
Tottenham's unbeaten run will certainly be tested during that string of fixtures, but Pochettino's side are at least improving away from home again following a fairly major dip in form on the road.
Spurs went through a spell of picking up just one win from seven away games across all competitions, but they have since won back-to-back games on their travels and could make it three on the bounce for the first time since the opening five away games of the season.
Indeed, in the Premier League Tottenham had only picked up one points from 15 on offer on the road before their wins at Burnley and Swansea, although they have fallen to four away league defeats already this season - as many as they suffered in the entirety of last season.
Spurs could keep three consecutive away league clean sheets in a row for the first time since November 2013, though, and only the top three have conceded fewer goals on their travels.
Pochettino is yet to taste defeat as a visiting manager at St Mary's , drawing one and winning two of his visit since leaving Southampton at the end of the 2013-14 campaign.
Spurs also have a good recent record on Sundays having won their last three games held on the day by an aggregate score of 13-2, although this is their first such match since the opening weekend win over Newcastle.
PREDICTION: Right, we're 10 minutes away from kickoff at St Mary's, which means that it is time for a prediction!
The hosts are in desperate need of a win today, but they were poor in the reverse and it is a big ask for them to turn their form around against a Tottenham side in fine form themselves. I will go for an away win.
SPORTS MOLE SAYS: Southampton 0-2 Tottenham
That reverse fixture saw Kane score another hat-trick on Boxing Day to edge him ever closer to the 100-goal mark in the Premier League, whilst Son and Alli were also on the scoresheet at Wembley.
The same three Tottenham players also scored on their most recent visit here in December 2016, with Alli scoring twice then in a 4-1 come-from-behind victory which had seen Van Dijk give Southampton the lead.
Southampton have lost four and won none of their five home league games against Tottenham since winning promotion back to the top flight in 2012, which is a major dip in form from a run of five successive victories between 2000 and 2005.
Indeed, since 2012-13 Spurs have taken 28 points from a possible 33 in matches against Southampton, winning nine and losing only one of 11.
That solitary Southampton win came in May 2016 with a 2-1 triumph which contributed to Spurs finishing third in the table, notably below Arsenal despite being the main title challengers for much of the season.
Overall, though, Spurs have been something of a bogey team for Southampton in recent years.
Right, the players are out and we're about to get going here. Let's have a quick recap of the team news before we do get started...
SOUTHAMPTON STARTING XI: McCarthy; Cedric, Stephens, Hoedt, Bertrand; Lemina, Romeu, Ward-Prowse, Tadic, Hojbjerg; Gabbiadini
TOTTENHAM STARTING XI: Vorm; Aurier, Sanchez, Vertonghen, Davies; Dier, Dembele, Sissoko, Dele, Son; Kane
KICKOFF: Here we go, then! Southampton get us underway at St Mary's!
SAVE! Within 11 seconds Southampton have their first chance of the contest as Gabbiadini turns into shooting space before letting fly, but Vorm collects the shot.
Aurier slides a pass down the right channel which Sissoko latches on to, but he cannot squeeze the ball to Kane in the middle on the turn. It was a good piece of movement from the winger, though.
CHANCE! Another decent chance from Southampton as Ward-Prowse pings a beauty of a pass out to Tadic on he left. He takes that down before putting a low cross into the middle which Gabbiadini completely misses when he should do better.
The hosts have made a good, bright start to this match and have got in behind the defence on a couple of occasions. They don't look like a team on the longest winless streak in the league.
SHOT! Ward-Prowse is the latest to have a go as it opens up for him from range, but he slices the ball badly and skews it well wide of the target.
A first hint of an opening for Spurs as Dier plays a long ball over the defence for Alli, who has got the wrong side of his marker. Alli collects it, but he has his back to goal and cannot readjust himself to make anything of the pass.
CHANCE! Another chance for Southampton as first Ward-Prowse puts a low ball into the box which goes all the way through to Tadic. Tadic plays it straight back into the middle, but Hojbjerg cannot get anything on it.
Southampton get away with one here. Alli is allowed to ghost into the area completely unmarked, but Davies's cross into the middle if too high for him and Hoedt is able to put it behind for a corner.
The conditions are difficult today inside a very wet St Mary's. The two keepers in particular will need to be alert.
GOAL! Southampton 1-0 Tottenham (Davinson Sanchez, own goal)
This time a low ball into the box does yield something for Southampton, and it is a deserved opener for the out-of-form hosts!
Bertrand bursts down the left flank and is found by Tadic's through-ball before playing his cross into the box. There are no Southampton players on the end of it this time, but Sanchez slides in and gets a toe to the ball, knocking it in off his own post.
OFF THE POST! Almost an immediate response for Spurs as Southampton fail to clear their lines from a corner! The ball drops to Dier who unleashes a quick snapshot, but it comes off the outside of the post.
GOAL! Southampton 1-1 Tottenham (Harry Kane)
Southampton are really struggling to deal with these Tottenham corners, and it provides the equaliser here at Kane brings up Premier League goal number 99.
It is poor marking from Southampton as Kane shrugs off Stephens before climbing highest in the area and nodding his finish home from close range. What a response from Tottenham!
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CHANCE! Almost two in the space of a minute as Alli suddenly finds himself in space inside the area, with Kane waiting in the middle. The midfielder can't get the ball under his spell quickly enough, though, and that allows Stephens to come across and make a really good challenge.
Pellegrino will be very annoyed at that equalising goal as his side had been good up to that point. They do look vulnerable from corners, though, and Tottenham's count is growing.
Dier finds a bit of space just outside the area and drills a powerful effort towards goal, but it crashes into his own man.
Here is that Southampton opener courtesy of Sanchez, who hasn't had the best game so far today...
SHOT! More joy from Southampton as again they find a bit of space down the left channel. Tadic's first pass from a diagonal ball is inadvertently blocked by Aurier but he gets it back and tees up Lemina, who drives a powerful strike over the bar from the edge of the box.
Important interception from Sanchez as he slides in to cut out a through-ball which Gabbiadini looked to get on the end of.
CHANCE! Threatening play from Spurs as Kane, Alli and Son are all involved in and around the box. Southampton again make a mess of clearing their lines and they are almost punished again. Davies drills a cross into the middle which Sissoko reacts in time to turn goalwards, but he can't keep his effort on target with the goal gaping.
Tottenham are on top right now and seem to have plugged the gap where Southampton were getting joy earlier in the game, but the hosts will still be pretty pleased with their performance in the opening half an hour or so of this match.
Referee Kevin Friend is lenient here as he has a word with Ward-Prowse over a little kick out at Vertonghen, who had come sliding in on him. The Southampton man is lucky not to be booked there.
The referee really is trying to keep his cards in his pocket today. Dembele may only be one foul away from going in the book, though, via the totting up procedure.
CHANCE! Huge chance for Southampton to regain the lead! The Saints win a free kick in a good crossing position which Ward-Prowse swings into the box brilliantly. Stephens has beaten his marker and has a completely free header in the middle of the area, but he gets it wrong and steers it off target. That should have been 2-1!
SAVE! Kane sends a ball over to the right for Aurier, who bides his time before rolling the ball into the path of Dier. Dier has to take the shot first time from the edge of the area, but McCarthy gets down well to make the save.
CHANCE! Southampton respond with a chance of their own at the other end as Gabbiadini slides a pass inside for Lemina, who curls an effort straight at the keeper from the edge of the box. He should have done better there.
There has been some really sloppy play at times from both sides today. The conditions may have some part to play in that, but some of the passing has been really poor too.
Almost a chance for Kane as he collects the ball in the box, but it doesn't drop quickly enough and Hoedt is able to get an important foot in.
There will be one added minute at the end of this first half.
HALF TIME: Southampton 1-1 Tottenham Hotspur
The referee brings an end to the first half at St Mary's and it is all square as things stand following an entertaining opening 45 minutes.
Both sides have threatened when going forward whilst also looking vulnerable at the back at times, but it is still all to play for in the second half. Both sides will be believing that they can go on to win this one now.
The opening goal was a deserved one for Southampton after 15 minutes when
Davinson Sanchez put the ball past his own keeper when trying to cut out a low cross into the box.
It was an avenue which had provided joy for Southampton before the goal and Spurs failed to heed those warnings. Bertrand's powerful run down the left saw him reach the byline before pulling the ball back into the middle which Sanchez slid in to turn in off his own post.
The lead lasted only three minutes, though, with Spurs responding quickly to restore parity through Harry Kane - his 99th Premier League goal.
As Spurs had looked vulnerable down the left flank, Southampton also looked vulnerable to corners and that avenue provided the equaliser as Kane escaped the attentions of his marker before planting a header in from close range.
Tottenham have also hit the post through Dier and were slightly in control as the half wore on, but they certainly have not been at their best.
Southampton have had chances of their own and will be the happier of the two teams at this stage due to their position in the league, but there is still work to do.
KICKOFF: Tottenham get us back underway for the second half!
Almost an early chance for Son as he breaks into the box, but the defence gets a toe in and McCarthy hacks the ball away.
YELLOW CARD! Stephens is the first name in the book today for a foul on Kane.
SAVE! Ward-Prowse breaks forward but doesn't have the pace to stay in front of Vertonghen and so goes for goal early. It is a decent strike, but Vorm gets down to make the save.
Tadic almost breaks free down the left following a good run which sees him fly past two defenders. He eventually manages to find Gabbiadini in the middle, but Spurs scramble back to deal with the danger.
The Southampton fans and players are baffled as to why Dembele isn't in the book yet, and they have a point. The Belgian concedes another free kick here, but still the referee keeps his cards in his pocket.
Stephens and Hoedt both go over to have lengthy discussions with Pellegrino during a stoppage in play, and it looks as though they are asking for instructions on how to deal with a slight change of formation from Spurs.
YELLOW CARD! Sissoko - and not Dembele - is the first Spurs player in the book for a late challenge on Bertrand.
Just over half an hour remaining in this one now, and Southampton will be pretty happy if this one ends all square - despite having had chances.
YELLOW CARD! Romeu goes into the book for a sliding challenge on Alli.
Dier is unhappy with Tadic here after being caught in the head by the Southampton man's arm. There was contact, but it was nothing malicious.
CHANCE! Kane somehow finds himself in space from a corner and tries to pull off a first-time volley, but he completely misses the ball.
CLOSE! Alli collects the ball on the half turn before quickly getting a shot away from 25 yards, but it zips narrowly past the post.
SOUTHAMPTON SUB: Southampton make their first change of the afternoon as Sofiane Boufal replaces Hojbjerg.
SAVE! Gabbiadini finds himself in a bit of space just outside the area and his shot bounces awkwardly for Vorm, but the keeper's handling is assured.
SHOT! A poor clearance from Hoedt gifts possession to Sissoko on the edge of the box and he is able to squeeze his pass in to Kane. Kane moves the ball quickly to create space for a shot, but it is blocked before it can trouble the keeper.
SHOT! Tottenham are beginning to knock on the door now! It takes some scramble defending from Southampton to keep Alli at bay before the ball arrives to Vertonghen, who drills a long-range strike wide.
TOTTENHAM SUB: A change for Spurs here as Erik Lamela replaces Son.
TOTTENHAM SUB: Spurs are forced into another quick change here as Aurier limps off to be replaced by Kieran Trippier.
Tottenham are dominating possession and territory at the moment, with Southampton pinned back and unable to get out. Just 15 minutes plus stoppage time left for them to hold on!
YELLOW CARD! One of the biggest cheers of the afternoon greets the yellow card finally being produced for Dembele.
Kevin Friend is lenient with Lemina here as he again keeps his cards in his pocket following a cynical tug back.
YELLOW CARD! Not so lenient with Trippier, though. The Spurs full-back goes into the book for a pull very similar to the one Lemina was let off for.
SOUTHAMPTON SUB: Change for the home side here as Steven Davis replaces Lemina.
Alli is flagged offside but still chooses to go for goal, only to miss much to the fans' delight. No yellow card for kicking the ball away, though.
SOUTHAMPTON SUB: A third and final change for Southampton, and it is a big moment for young Michael Obafemi as he makes his debut in place of Gabbiadini.
CHANCE! Huge chance for Spurs to get a winner! Sissoko collects the ball on the right side of the area and keeps his composure to put the ball inside for Lamela. Lamela takes a touch inside the six-yard box but then puts his finish wide of the target when he really should have done better.
TOTTENHAM SUB: Southampton old boy Victor Wanyama comes on for the final five minutes, replacing Dembele.
CHANCE! Big chance for a fairytale moment for Obafemi! Southampton win the ball in a good area and Tadic plays a low ball into the box for the youngster, but he gets his finish all wrong!
CHANCE! Big chance for Southampton to win it as they break into the box, but Boufal takes just too long over his finish in the area and is closed down by Sanchez!
CHANCE! Kane has a chance to win it at the other end as he collects the ball on the left channel, but he drags his effort across goal and wide of the far post!
There will be five minutes of added time at the end of this match.
FULL TIME: Southampton 1-1 Tottenham Hotspur
Two dropped points for Tottenham in the Champions League race, then, as Southampton hold out for a draw which takes them to within one point of safety.
Victory by two goals or more would have been enough for Spurs to climb into the top four, but as it is they could end the weekend five points adrift should Liverpool beat Swansea tomorrow night. Kane brought up Premier League goal number 99 to cancel out Sanchez's own goal opener, but the visitors could not go on to find a winner.
Right, that is all we have time for this evening!
Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for today's Premier League contest as Southampton hold Spurs to a draw at St Mary's. I will leave you with our match report, and be sure to stick around for reaction too!
From me, though, it is goodbye for now!
