OptiNews - Friday 22 to Thursday 28 December 2017

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Who will go down in Premier League’s most open relegation battle?

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While Manchester City run away with the Premier League title, things are far more complicated at the other end of the table.

Half of the division are bracing themselves for a survival scrap between now and May with only four points separating Southampton in 12th and West Brom in 19th.

Sportsmail take a look at the 10 clubs most in peril, assessing why they are in trouble, and what they need to escape…

One win in 10 Premier League games did for Paul Clement and the manager was shown the door this week after almost a year in charge.

They last won an away game at Crystal Palace on August 26 and goals are a problem - Swansea are the lowest scorers in the division with 10, and haven’t scored more than once in a match since mid-October.

WHO IS TO BLAME?

The decision to wait until deadline day before selling Gylfi Sigurdsson looks strange as there wasn’t time to replace his goals.

Top scorer Tammy Abraham only has five and hasn’t netted in his last nine. Wilfried Bony was injured against Everton on Monday.

Saturday’s home game against Crystal Palace is must-win with away games at Liverpool and Watford to follow before the New Year’s Day visit of Spurs to the Liberty Stadium.

Swansea did well in the market last January to help stay up. A striker is top priority with Liverpool’s Danny Ings and Vincent Aboubakar of Porto strongly linked.

Creativity has also been a problem, and West Brom’s Nacer Chadli might be available. But it all depends on who will be at the helm with Ronald Koeman, Frank de Boer and Chris Wilder among the names touted for the position.

West Brom’s run of 17 matches without a victory is an unwanted club record. They last won in August and Gareth Barry’s consolation against Manchester United on Sunday was their first goal in four matches.

WHO IS TO BLAME?

Again, a change of ownership hasn’t seemed to work. Former manager Tony Pulis wasn’t overly-impressed with the work of his Chinese boss Guochuan Lai and appeared almost relieved to be sacked.

However others will say Pulis’ negative style of play didn’t help either.

Saturday’s game at Stoke is the proverbial six-pointer. Home matches against Everton and Arsenal finish off 2017 and the new year begins with another tense one at West Ham.

Like Swansea, goals are needed, with Salomon Rondon, Hal Robson-Kanu and Jay Rodriguez having scored only twice each.

Another centre-half could also be on Alan Pardew’s radar with the big clubs sniffing around Northern Ireland skipper Jonny Evans.

Eight defeats in nine matches tells a pretty demoralising story. Joint top-scorer Dwight Gayle has three goals, all of them in his last six matches, but all of them in defeats.

WHO IS TO BLAME?

Rafaelistas will put the blame squarely on owner Mike Ashley for lack of investment and not selling the club yet, though a deal with Amanda Staveley is said to be close.

Having said that, none of Rafa Benitez’s signings in the summer have made a real impact.

The Toon will be targetting at least four points from their three remaining games in 2017; away to West Ham, home to Manchester City, home to Brighton. After that it’s a humdinger at Stoke.

Benitez would probably love to sign six new players. Experience is important with Newcastle having one of the youngest squads in the division. It depends on the progress of Staveley’s takeover.

‘It always helps when you have information,’ remarked a frustrated Benitez.

Stoke have lost five of their last six games and conceded 15 goals during that time.

They have the worst defensive record in the league and the worst goal difference, which may end up being crucial.

WHO IS TO BLAME?

Manager Mark Hughes was an outstanding striker so it’s strange that he’s not been able to fill that position properly.

Wilfried Bony was a flop on loan last season and Saido Berahino hasn’t scored since signing in January. That said, it’s their lack of defensive organisation that causes real alarm.

Although owner Peter Coates is among the most patient in football, Hughes needs to pick up results in their next games against West Brom and Huddersfield. A trip to Chelsea follows that followed by another six-pointer at home to Newcastle.

WHAT IS NEEDED IN JANUARY?

Stoke will try to offload Charlie Adam and Glen Johnson in January and add another midfielder to either provide creativity or sit with Darren Fletcher so Joe Allen can get further forward. A right-back would also be useful.

Three points from a possible 18 have put Eddie Howe’s men right back in the danger zone after a 4-0 win against Huddersfield last month had them looking up the table.

WHO IS TO BLAME?

With Sean Dyche, Eddie Howe is the brightest English manager about but his record in the transfer market isn’t as good as helping to develop players from within the club.

Asmir Begovic and Jermain Defoe haven’t had the desired impact. Neither has £15million winger Jordon Ibe.

After a daunting trip to Manchester City on Saturday, Howe will target consecutive home games against Everton and West Ham, and a trip to Brighton to begin 2018.

WHAT IS NEEDED IN JANUARY?

The Cherries could be quieter than a lot of their relegation rivals. Callum Wilson’s return from long-term injury along with Benik Afobe and Defoe means the goals should come, and they can also bring back Lewis Grabban from a loan spell in January if required.

The new-manager bounce from David Moyes took a little longer than Hammers fans would have wanted but they’ve taken seven points from the last nine, and haven’t conceded against Chelsea, Arsenal and Stoke, who they beat 3-0 away at the weekend.

WHO IS TO BLAME?

West Ham often looks like an Eastenders soap opera with joint-chairmen David Sullivan and David Gold, and vice-chairman Karren Brady all leading characters.

A lack of defensive resilience is being addressed by Moyes.

The next three games are all against rivals at the bottom; Newcastle, Bournemouth and West Brom. The fixture after that is a Thursday night game against Spurs at Wembley, where they won in the Carabao Cup.

WHAT IS NEEDED IN JANUARY?

Ideally, Moyes wants creativity within the context of Premier League knowhow, with Arsenal’s Jack Wilshere a target if he’s available.

Sporting Lisbon’s William Carvalho will be difficult to conclude in January but a genuine holding midfield player is something Moyes would welcome.

Crystal Palace’s comeback after losing their first eight matches is incredible. They are unbeaten in seven matches under Roy Hodgson and last weekend’s 3-0 win at Leicester was the best result yet.

WHO IS TO BLAME?

Chairman Steve Parrish would probably acknowledge his management switch from Sam Allardyce to Frank de Boer was too radical.

In Hodgson, he’s got someone in charge with drive and experience, and he will try to balance a squad that didn’t have a fit senior striker when he arrived.

Not the easiest for Palace. They will have to get something out of Swansea at the weekend because it’s Arsenal and Manchester City after that, both at Selhurst Park, followed by a trip to Southampton

WHAT IS NEEDED IN JANUARY?

With 38-year-old Julian Speroni in goal, Hodgson would be interested in a new 'keeper because it’s a lot to ask the veteran to keep going all season.

A striker would also be welcome though they will have long-term injury Connor Wickham returning. Turkey international Cenk Tosun is in the frame.

After an excellent start, reality has hit for newly-promoted Brighton. They haven’t won in seven and even more worryingly their only goal in six matches came in a 5-1 thrashing by Liverpool.

Manager Chris Hughton was left rueing Glenn Murray’s penalty miss in Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Burnley.

WHO IS TO BLAME?

It’s always hard for teams coming up from The Championship. Hughton has got Brighton organised and defensively set-up but maybe at the sacrifice of creating chances and scoring goals.

It’s unlikely Hughton will want to change but he might have to.

It’s no exaggeration that more than any other club, these four fixtures could make or break The Seagulls.

Three of them are winnable, against Watford, Newcastle and Bournemouth, if they don’t win any, they’ll be tipped for the drop. The other game on Boxing Day is a bonus fixture at Chelsea.

WHAT IS NEEDED IN JANUARY?

Like so many clubs at the bottom, Brighton would take a striker who guarantees them 10 goals between now and the end of the season.

Hughton likes Aleksandr Mitrovic who is out of favour at Newcastle, and is monitoring Khouma Babacar of Fiorentina.

It was galling for Saints fans to see former manager Claude Puel return to St Mary’s a week ago and help Leicester thump his former club 4-1. Southampton have picked up only two points from five games.

WHO IS TO BLAME?

The decision to resist Liverpool’s bid to sign Virgil van Dijk may have sapped energy.

Mauricio Pellegrino’s tactics have been viewed as overly-negative, not least from Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola.

The next four games offer contrasting hopes. Home matches against Huddersfield, on Saturday, and Crystal Palace are must-wins.

The two away games sandwiched in between at Tottenham and Manchster United look mightily awkward.

WHAT IS NEEDED IN JANUARY?

If Southampton do sell Van Dijk, they may want to make a signature signing, although a link with Barcelona striker Pablo Alcacer would surely be too ambitious.

Maybe Middlesbrough’s Ben Gibson would be cover for Van Dijk at the back, with plenty of spare money left over.

A four-match losing snap has been ended with David Wagner’s Terriers defeating Brighton and Watford in their last three games, a home defeat against Chelsea sandwiched in between.

WHO IS TO BLAME?

Huddersfield won’t be blaming anyone, they have exceeded expectations. Wagner realised early in the summer that players with Premier Leauge knowhow would be too expensive for his club so he’s gambled on the likes of Steve Mounie, Johan Lossl and Laurent Depoitre, and it’s worked so far.

Huddersfield are above their next two opponents, Southampton and Stoke, but won’t it stay that way if they end up losing both, particularly with Burnley and Leicester City up next.

WHAT IS NEEDED IN JANUARY?

Wagner will have been happy overall with his squad but an injury to Elias Kachunga at Watford on Saturday which could keep him out for three months means the German may ask his chairman to bankroll the signing of another forward.

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Summary of non-mainstream articles: 22/12/2017 11:41:26

| | TV ! Saints V Huddersfield Preview. - Southampton NewsTHEUGLYINSIDE |
|

| Why Klopp Must Do What It Takes To Prevent Man City From Signing Long-term Liverpool Target – SoccerSoulsSOCCERSOULS |
| | Are Liverpool ready to take huge gamble on top summer target? | FutnSoccerFUTNSOCCER |
| | Southampton vs Huddersfield predictions: Preview & football betting tips101GREATGOALS |
| | Carragher - Liverpool need a centre-back, I hope it’s Van DijkGOLIVERPOOL |
| | Going back in for Van Dijk shows how Man City have changed in 2017MANEVNEWS |

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Read Southampton

New content from (- Read Southampton)

| City make Saints man their top target in January | Pep Guardiola reportedly sees Virgil van Dijk as his top priority in the January transfer window, as he looks for … 22-12-2017 |

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| Who’s the Dangerman? Huddersfield Town (H)a day ago |
| Southampton vs Huddersfield Town: Last time outa day ago |
| Southampton Predicted XI: Huddersfield (H)a day ago |
| Eric Black departs Southamptona day ago |
| Yoshida calls for positivity3 days ago |
| What is currently going wrong at Southampton?3 days ago |
| Gabbiadini’s agent discusses prospect of move back to Serie A3 days ago |
| Mauricio Pellegrino is in his last chance saloon at Saints4 days ago |
| Wesley Hoedt admits Southampton are in danger4 days ago |

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@SouthamptonFC - Southampton FC

Test your memory with our latest pre-match quiz, ahead of #SaintsFC’s clash with #HTAFC: http://sfcne.ws/HTAFCQuiz

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Sourced from Southampton FC - Official Site article

Pre-match quiz: Huddersfield Town

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Huddersfield Town visit Southampton on Saturday for the first time since the teams were in League One together… but can you remember every side that played in the third tier back in 2009/10?

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Stat Pack: Saints vs Huddersfield

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Southampton have won their last three home matches against Huddersfield in all competitions, scoring 13 goals and conceding just once.

  • Saints have lost just one of their last 26 home Premier League games against newly promoted sides (W17 D8), losing 0-1 against Cardiff in April 2014.

Huddersfield’s last top-flight visit to Southampton is also the last time they won away from home against the Saints, winning 2-1 at the Dell in September 1971.

Southampton have won 10 and lost none of their last 11 home league games against sides from Yorkshire, since losing 2-1 to Sheffield United in February 2009.

13% of Huddersfield’s Premier League goals this season have been own goals by the opposition (2/16); the highest such ratio in the division.

Huddersfield’s 4-1 win at Watford last weekend ended a run of seven consecutive away Premier League games without a goal (D1 L6). Both of their away victories in the Premier League have been by a three-goal margin (3-0 vs Crystal Palace).

Charlie Austin has had a hand in six goals in seven previous league appearances against the Terriers (four goals, two assists).

Laurent Depoitre has scored two goals and provided an assist in his last two Premier League games – this after netting just twice in his first 13 in the competition.

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Summary of non-mainstream articles: 22/12/2017 12:41:25

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| Soccer: Southampton need one-club mentality to improve, says AustinREUTERS |
| | Southampton need one-club mentality to improve, says AustinSBSWORLDNEWSAUS |
| | Saints V Huddersfield The Preview - Southampton NewsTHEUGLYINSIDE |
| | ‘Can’t cope,’ ‘I’m finished’ - Liverpool fans react to huge transfer twistFOOTBALLFANCAST |
| | Inside Info: Expectations haven’t changed for high-flying Huddersfield according to this fanSBNATIONSTMARYSMUSINGS |

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Southampton need to unite, says striker Charlie Austin

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Southampton players and fans must unite to help the Premier League club get more wins and improve their position in the standings, striker Charlie Austin has said.

The Saints have won just one of their last nine league games to drop to 12th position and are just three points ahead of 18th-placed Newcastle United following consecutive defeats to Leicester City and champions Chelsea.

One positive for the club has been Austin’s form with the 28-year-old scoring four goals in Southampton’s last six league games. The Englishman has urged fans to get behind the team as they push for positive results.

‘We know we need to improve and a one-club mentality can be powerful for that,’ Austin told the club’s website southamptonfc.com.

'We need to do better, we know that because as you look at the table we need to be higher up. It doesn’t take long, if you put together a few wins then you can be pushed right up there.

‘I know the fans will think ‘people are always saying this’, but we do need to stick together because it is really important.’

Southampton have won just three of their 10 home games in the league this campaign and Austin believes the club must re-establish their dominance at St Mary’s, starting with Saturday’s match against 11th-placed Huddersfield Town.

'We need to get back to making St Mary’s a fortress where teams come and they’re worried, not coming to try and play their football.

‘They need to worry about us and we know we’ve got quality in the team,’ Austin added.

'We know results are massive and that changes the whole morale. We need to do that on Saturday against Huddersfield because when you win everybody is different.

‘You come in on a Monday morning… feeling completely different.’

Meanwhile, Southampton’s first team coach Eric Black has resigned to take a break and deal with the lasting effects of back injuries he sustained during his playing days.

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Premier League team news, odds and stats for this weekend’s fixtures

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Ahead of this weekend’s Premier League fixtures, Sportsmail brings you the latest squad news, odds and stats on every top flight fixture as it breaks.

Simply click on your team in the fixture list below to find out who is ruled out and who is making a return as well as all the key statistics surrounding your club’s fixture.

In or out? Keep up-to-date with all the latest team news and stats ahead of the weekend

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@SouthamptonFC - Southampton FC

:calendar:

#SaintsFC’s home game with #LFC in February has a new date, after being picked for live TV coverage:… https://twitter.com/i/web/status/944198340572479488

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Summary of non-mainstream articles: 22/12/2017 13:41:49

| | The Saints Injury List - Couple Of KnocksVITALFOOTBALL |
| | West Brom ready to sell Jonny Evans but Manchester City look instead to Van DijkBELFASTTELE |
| | Dons legend Eric Black resigns from Southampton over back issuesEVENINGEXPRESS |
| | VAR Comes In For FA Cup 3rd RoundVITALFOOTBALL |

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Watch live as #SaintsFC boss Mauricio Pellegrino looks ahead to the visit of #HTAFC in the #PL: https://www.pscp.tv/w/bQuw8zMxOTB8MXJtR1BPTmJyTWdLToKpptaiRI_Pe55A5bHTXCeUfsCC87GkvZ-H1jF5T51A

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Mauricio Pellegrino reveals that #SaintsFC will be without @OficialCedric (ankle) and @ryanbertrand3 (hamstring) fo… https://twitter.com/i/web/status/944201039833690112

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MP: "We have got the same feeling as the fans when we play badly. We are unhappy and we have to try to bounce back… https://twitter.com/i/web/status/944202489993285632

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Mauricio Pellegrino says a victory against #HTAFC would be very important for his side to ‘change the feeling’ from… https://twitter.com/i/web/status/944203430347919360

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Pellegrino confirms that both of his first choice full-backs have been ruled out of the game versus Huddersfield. R… https://twitter.com/i/web/status/944201559214260225

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Full #SaintsFC team news ahead of #HTAFC, with @OficialCedric and @ryanbertrand3 both set to miss out: http://sfcne.ws/TeamNewsHTAFC

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Summary of non-mainstream articles: 22/12/2017 14:41:57

| | Terry does not want Chelsea to pay more than £55million for this player | FutnSoccerFUTNSOCCER |
| | TOTHOTFC |
| | Ian Wright says Wilfried Zaha can be Palace’s Le TissierCROYDONADVERTISER |
| | Ian Wright urges Liverpool player to sign these two players in January | FutnSoccerFUTNSOCCER |

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PTS -Huddersfield-Home

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Let us know your prediction for our game against Huddersfield Town and you’ll be in with a chance of winning a signed home shirt!

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Southampton v Huddersfield preview: Saints wait on Cedric Soares ahead of mid-table battle

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Southampton host Huddersfield on Saturday with both sides desperate for a win that would lift them further away from trouble.

Southampton are without a win in five - their last success being a 4-1 demolition of Everton at the end of November - and although look relatively safe in 12th, they are only three points above the relegation zone heading into the weekend.

Their opponents are one place and three points above them having overcome a sticky November, in which they lost 4-0 to Bournemouth and 5-0 to Arsenal, to register wins over Brighton and Watford in two of their last three games.

The 4-1 win at Watford last weekend prompted boss David Wagner to say Premier League survival for his side was now a “belief” rather than a “hope”.

The reverse fixture at the end of August was a disappointing goalless draw.

Cedric Soares is Mauricio Pellegrino’s only big injury worry after he came off injured against Chelsea last weekend following a nasty collision with the advertising boards.

Ryan Bertrand also limped off during Southampton’s 1-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge but could still feature against Huddersfield on Saturday.

Huddersfield’s emphatic 4-1 win over Watford last weekend came at a cost as Elias Kachunga misses out due to a knee injury sustained in the game while Jonathan Hogg is suspended following his red card.

Also unavailable for selection are Phillip Billing (ankle), Jon Gorenc Stankovic (knee) and Michael Hefele (Achilles) but Chris Lowe could be available despite coming off last weekend with a foot injury.

Southampton have won their last three home matches against Huddersfield in all competitions, scoring 13 goals and conceding just once.

Huddersfield’s last top-flight visit to Southampton is also the last time they won away from home against the Saints, winning 2-1 at the Dell in September 1971.

Saints have won just one of their last nine Premier League games (D3 L5) and are winless in their last five (D2 L3).

Southampton have lost just one of their last 26 home Premier League games against newly promoted sides (W17 D8), losing 0-1 against Cardiff in April 2014.

Huddersfield’s 4-1 win at Watford last weekend ended a run of seven consecutive away Premier League games without a goal (D1 L6). Both of their away victories in the Premier League have been by a three-goal margin (3-0 vs Crystal Palace).

Charlie Austin has had a hand in six goals in seven previous league appearances against the Terriers (four goals, two assists).

Laurent Depoitre has scored two goals and provided an assist in his last two Premier League games - this after netting just twice in his first 13 in the competition.

So hard to predict. Huddersfield can’t score an away goal for toffee and then go and score four at Watford. Southampton were excellent in the first half against Arsenal, but have been pretty poor since. However, I think Southampton are better than they have been recently. You have to play Charlie Austin. When he came off the bench against Chelsea he was the only one who looked like scoring. He puts the ball in the back of the net.

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