OptiNews - Friday 23 February to Thursday 01 March 2018

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Burnley vs Southampton: Team news

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Ahead of this weekend’s Premier League action, Sportsmail will be providing you with all you need to know about every fixture, with team news, provisional squads, betting odds and Opta stats. Here is all the information you need for Burnley’s home clash with Southampton.

Burnley could welcome four players back to their squad for Saturday’s Premier League clash with Southampton.

Dean Marney and Chris Wood (both knee) took part in a behind-closed-doors match against Blackpool this week, Phil Bardsley has recovered from a minor hamstring problem while James Tarkowski (groin) is more doubtful but could make it. Scott Arfield (calf) looks set to miss out.

Tom Heaton also faced Blackpool in his first action since dislocating his shoulder nearly six months ago but needs more game time. Robbie Brady, Steven Defour and Jon Walters (all knee) remain sidelined.

Southampton should have midfielder Sofiane Boufal available for the Premier League match at Burnley.

Defender Maya Yoshida, though, is set for at least a month on the sidelines with a knee problem.

Shane Long and Steven Davis are expected to be back in contention for next weekend’s home match against Stoke, while Charlie Austin continues his recovery from a hamstring injury.

Burnley have won three of their five Premier League matches against Southampton by a 1-0 scoreline, winning the last two.

After winning back to back away league games at Turf Moor, Saints are winless in their last four visits (D1 L3), failing to score on the last two occasions – they’ve never failed to net in three consecutive games there.

After losing five of his first six matches in all competitions against Southampton as a manager (W1), Sean Dyche has won his last two versus them.

Premier League games at Turf Moor have seen on average 2.2 goals per game (155 goals in 70 games), the second lowest average in Premier League history, behind only Roker Park (38 goals in 19 games at two per game on average).

The average position of teams at the start of the day beaten by Southampton this season is 17.4, the lowest in the Premier League.

Indeed, the Saints are yet to defeat a team starting the day in the top half of the Premier League this season (P15 W0 D6 L9). Their last win of this kind came in April 2017 away at West Brom.

Southampton goalkeeper Alex McCarthy saved the first five shots on target he faced this season – since then, he has conceded 10 goals from 17 shots on target faced.

Burnley have collected fewer points in their last 10 Premier League games than any other side (5 – W0 D5 L5).

The Saints haven’t lost any of their last eight Premier League games in which they’ve started the day in the relegation zone (W4 D4) since a 1-0 defeat to Liverpool in December 2012.

Johann Berg Gudmundsson’s five Premier League assists this season have been worth nine points to Burnley, more than any other player’s assists this season.

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Sourced from Mirror.co.uk article

Dejan Lovren reveals how is helping Virgil van Dijk settle at Liverpool

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Dejan Lovren says he is helping Virgil van Dijk settle at Liverpool and life under Jurgen Klopp as the former Southampton defenders forge a promising partnership.

The Croatia centre-half has impressed alongside £75million signing Van Dijk, who came to the Reds from the Saints for a club record fee last month.

They shone as Liverpool battered Porto 5-0 in the Champions League and Lovren reckons they can become a long-term force at the back at Anfield.

The duo is keen to keep their spots when West Ham visit on Saturday in the Premier League, reports the Liverpool Echo.

“To be honest I didn’t expect that we would be so quick (to settle) together," Lovren said.

"But when you are a top centre-back I think it is normal and Virgil is one of them. Of course he needs some time to adapt because Southampton to Liverpool is different.

"But he understands what the manager wants, although sometimes I have to remind him also. I help him as much as I can. It is a difficult period sometimes to adapt but he is managing it quite well.

“Everyone is behind him and giving him support and he did brilliant against Porto. Everyone did from the back line and the midfield – I don’t need to talk about the strikers.”

Liverpool have stood accused of not managing games well enough this season but in back-to-back victories over Southampton and Porto they bossed proceedings.

Lovren helped set the tone in Portugal as his pressing won back possession in the build up to Sadio Mane’s opening goal.

“We are a team who like to play high pressure," Lovren added.

"I think we did it quite well from the first goal. It started from their goalkeeper, I came to win it and it went to Gini (Wijnaldum). He tried to shoot and then it was Mane’s goal.

“This is what we need. The main point was that we managed the game all the time. Porto have quality players but they only had a couple of chances. It was deserved, a quality win.”

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Summary of non-mainstream articles: 23/02/2018 13:43:09

| | Saints At Burnley The Preview - Southampton NewsTHEUGLYINSIDE |
|

| Stricken Saints Up Next At Turf MoorFOOTYMADCLARETSMAD |
| | TV ! Saints At Burnley Preview - Southampton NewsTHEUGLYINSIDE |
| | ‘Disappointed’ – Southampton fans react as £4.5m-rated international set to seal transferFOOTBALLFANCAST |

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The Ugly Inside News for Southampton

New content from (- The Ugly Inside News for Southampton)

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Sourced from Southampton FC - Official Site article

On The Road: Burnley

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Club Details

Address: Turf Moor, Harry Potts Way, Burnley, BB10 4BX

Telephone: 01282 446800

Capacity: 22, 546

Website: www.burnleyfc.com

Nickname: The Clarets

Colours: Claret and Blue

Away Supporters

Away fans are housed in The Ladbrokes Stand. The club received an allocation of 2,386 tickets and have sold 1,011 of those so far, with tickets available up until midday on Friday 23rd February, as well as on the day at Turf Moor.

Getting There By Car

Leave the M6 at Junction 29 and onto the M65, before leaving it at Junction 10.

Follow the signs for Towneley Hall and this road will eventually lead you to the past the ground.

Car Parking

Parking around the ground is restricted and fans are advised to use Burnley Cricket Club adjacent, or a number of paid car parks locally.

Getting There By Train

The nearest train station to Turf Moor is Burnley Manchester Road, which is around a 25-minute walk or a short taxi journey away.

It is also a short distance away from Burnley Central station, where fans should follow signs to the town centre towards Gala Bingo and then walk down Yorkshire Street.

Coach Travel

Coaches will depart St. Mary’s Stadium at 07.15, Eastleigh at 07.30, Winchester 07.45 and Chieveley at 08.15.

Downloadable Guide

Download Burnley Football Club’s official visiting supporters’ guide by clicking here. For more information on disabled access at Turf Moor click here.

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Sourced from Southampton FC - Official Site article

Pellegrino prepared for tight affair

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The hosts are winless in their last ten league games, which have been typically low-scoring affairs, but remain healthily positioned in the top half of the table.

Pellegrino says his players must learn from the home game against the Clarets at St Mary’s in November, when Sean Dyche’s men secured a 1-0 victory courtesy of their only attempt on target.

“Burnley will be a really tight game, I would imagine. It’s a really difficult game,” said the boss.

“It is a team who won a lot of points in the first part of the season and now they have not won in a long period of time, but at home they are really strong because they do not concede too much.

“We can use the home game as experience, which was really close with not many chances. Then towards the end we dominated, created chances but couldn’t score.

“We have been working on how to approach this type of challenge and we will try to do our best.”

Saints now face an extended period of away games, with four of their next five Premier League encounters being played on the road. Including Emirates FA Cup ties at West Brom and Wigan, it will be six out of seven.

“I think mentally we have to be stronger,” Pellegrino added. “Instead of the crowd helping you, they will be against you.

“All the decisions that we make can influence the referee and the crowd, so we have to be really focused. We have to be stronger in all different aspects, but I think we are ready.”

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Sourced from Southampton FC - Official Site article

Video: Pellegrino on Burnley trip

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Sourced from A tweet by SouthamptonFC tweet

@SouthamptonFC - Southampton FC

Get the view from the opposition, as Burnley boss Sean Dyche gives his thoughts on his team’s meeting with… https://twitter.com/i/web/status/967036323218378752

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Summary of non-mainstream articles: 23/02/2018 14:43:22

| | Pellegrino relishing “amazing” period for SouthamptonREADSOUTHAMPTON |
|

| Southampton injuries: Austin, Long and Davis’ expected return datesFOOTBALLFANCAST |

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Sourced from Southampton FC - Official Site article

U18s Swansea fixture postponed

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Saints’ youngsters are on a nine game unbeaten streak in the Under-18s Premier League (W8, D1), and are currently tied on points with second placed Arsenal, while the Swans are hot on their heels in fourth.

Craig Fleming’s side will now prepare to host Arsenal at Staplewood Campus next Saturday, with the potential to leapfrog their London counterparts with victory.

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Sourced from Sky Sports article

Burnley v Southampton preview: James Tarkowski rated as doubtful

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Burnley will look to end a run of 10 games without a Premier League win when they host relegation-threatened Southampton on Saturday.

Despite not winning a league match since beating Stoke 1-0 on December 12, they’ve already amassed 36 points this season - just four points short of their final points total last season.

Southampton are embroiled in the scrap for survival and start the day in the bottom three. However, they have not lost any of last eight Premier League games when starting the day in the relegation zone, winning four of those matches.

A dramatic late header from substitute Sam Vokes handed Burnley a 1-0 victory over Southampton in the reverse fixture earlier this season.

Burnley could welcome four players back to their squad.

Dean Marney and Chris Wood (both knee) took part in a behind-closed-doors match against Blackpool this week, Phil Bardsley has recovered from a minor hamstring problem while James Tarkowski (groin) is more doubtful but could make it. Scott Arfield (calf) looks set to miss out.

Tom Heaton also faced Blackpool in his first action since dislocating his shoulder nearly six months ago but needs more game time. Robbie Brady, Steven Defour and Jon Walters (all knee) remain sidelined.

Southampton should have midfielder Sofiane Boufal available.

Defender Maya Yoshida, though, is set for at least a month on the sidelines with a knee problem.

Shane Long and Steven Davis are expected to be back in contention for next weekend’s home match against Stoke, while Charlie Austin continues his recovery from a hamstring injury.

Five of Southampton’s next six games are away from home and that will play in their favour, given their poor home form. They will have highlighted the trip to Turf Moor as on they can win, especially given the run Burnley are on.

I have doubts whether Southampton can win these kind of games away from home, but a point away from home for a club in the bottom three must be considered a good result.

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@SouthamptonFC - Southampton FC

day to go!

Get set for #SaintsFC’s big visit to Turf Moor with our comprehensive match preview: http://sfcne.ws/BFCAPreview

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Sourced from Sky Sports article

Mauricio Pellegrino wants Southampton to feed off the winning ‘drug’ to avoid relegation

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Mauricio Pellegrino wants Southampton to feed off the winning ‘drug’ to avoid relegation

Mauricio Pellegrino has called on Southampton to feed off the winning “drug” to pull themselves clear of the Premier League relegation battle.

The Saints host Burnley on the back of three victories from their previous five matches.

While two of those have come in the FA Cup - where Southampton will next head to Sky Bet League One Wigan in a bid to reach the semi-finals at Wembley - Pellegrino believes it shows his squad have the right mentality.

“Every single victory helps us to believe in our way and our model. This, for me, is the best drug for this team,” said Pellegrino.

"I believe in the character and attitude of my team, and that is the most important thing right now.

"(After Burnley) we have a lot of away games and have to be really stronger than before.

“Every single moment will be either for us or against, and we have to be ready for that.”

Southampton have managed just one Premier League victory since the end of November, that coming at strugglers West Brom a couple of weeks before they knocked the Baggies out of the FA Cup.

Pellegrino, though, feels the recent form of Burnley - who started so impressively, but now have lost five of the past 10 Premier League matches - shows just how testing the campaign has turned out.

“If we use Burnley as an example, they are in the middle of the table, but they could not win for the past 10 games,” Pellegrino told the club’s website.

"Facing every single team is difficult because the Premier League is very tough.

“We have to be fully focused and think about just one match at a time and we have prepared well this week for this game.”

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Sourced from Optimus trousers summary article summary

Summary of non-mainstream articles: 23/02/2018 16:43:50

|

| Burnley vs. Southampton - Football Match Preview - February 24, 2018 - ESPNESPNCOUK |
| | Cup Dates Confirmed And The FA Is Once Again Mucking Fans Around ! - Southampton NewsTHEUGLYINSIDE |

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Sourced from Daily Mail article

Mauricio Pellegrino urges Southampton to feed off winning ‘drug’

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Mauricio Pellegrino has challenged his Southampton team to feed off the winning ‘drug’ to pull themselves clear of the Premier League relegation battle.

The Saints host Burnley on the back of three victories from their previous five matches.

While two of those have come in the FA Cup - where Southampton will next head to Sky Bet League One Wigan in a bid to reach the semi-finals at Wembley - Pellegrino believes it shows his squad have the needed mentality.

‘Every single victory helps us to believe in our way and our model. This, for me, is the best drug for this team,’ said Pellegrino.

'I believe in the character and attitude of my team, and that is the most important thing right now.

'(After Burnley) we have a lot of away games and have to be really stronger than before.

‘Every single moment will be either for us or against, and we have to be ready for that.’

Southampton have managed just one Premier League victory since the end of November, that coming at strugglers West Brom a couple of weeks before they knocked the Baggies out of the FA Cup.

Pellegrino, though, feels the recent form of Burnley - who started so impressively, but now have lost five of the past 10 Premier League matches - shows just how testing the campaign has turned out.

‘If we use Burnley as an example, they are in the middle of the table, but they could not win for the past 10 games,’ Pellegrino said at a press conference, as broadcast on the club’s official website.

'Facing every single team is difficult because the Premier League is very tough.

‘We have to be fully focused and think about just one match at a time and we have prepared well this week for this game.’

Pellegrino added: 'Burnley have not changed their style, they are still a solid team.

'They won a lot of games 1-0 and it is really tight when they drew or lost.

‘It will be the same on Saturday - a really close game and we have to be prepared for that.’

Victory at St Mary’s Stadium could see Saints climb as high as 13th were other results at the bottom of the table also go their way.

Pellegrino, though, is not about to get the calculator out just yet.

‘I don’t want to do maths right now, but to focus on the work we have to do and try to help my players, to be prepared for different situations,’ he said.

‘It is really easy to do numbers, but it is really difficult to translate this to the pitch.’

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Read Southampton

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Blogs – Fresh Saints

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Test your knowledge ahead of #SaintsFC’s #PL trip to Burnley, with our latest pre-match quiz: http://sfcne.ws/QuizBFCa

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