Southampton v Norwich
Sunday 30th August, 13:30
Southampton have started the Premier League in somewhat innocuous fashion, having picked up two points from their opening three games. They will be looking to get back last season’s form in front of their home faithful this weekend, which could move them up the table as many as 10 places into eighth.
Norwich sit in eighth place in the league coming into this weekend, and will be looking to further improve their league standing with their second win of the season. Their first win came in a 3-1 away outing at Sunderland, and they will be hoping that they can make it six points from a possible six on the road with a win at the opposite end of the country to their first.
Southampton will be looking for another big performance from Cedric Soares at the back this weekend, to help deal with Norwich’s in form winger, Nathan Redmond. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index can reveal that he has won an impressive 91.7% of his 12 tackles so far this season, also racking up eight clearances, 11 interceptions and two blocks. On the ball he looks equally assured, having completed 72.7% of his 11 dribbles and even found himself an assist.
Redmond has had a good start to the season for the Canaries, and will need to continue in the same vein if he is to get the better of Soares. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index can reveal that he has hit the target with 60% of his five efforts, turning two into goals, with a further assist to his name. He has also won the same amount of tackles, again with a 60% win ratio, and this could be just as important as his attacking prowess if Soares manages to get on the front foot.
Southampton’s main man up top, Graziano Pelle, has enjoyed a good start to the season, and will be looking to give Norwich’s Russell Martin a real test this weekend. The EA SPORTS Player Performance index tells us that he has hit the target three times this season, and will be looking to boost that number this weekend to increase his goal tally of one so far for the season. Whilst he has won his only tackle of the season, made five clearances and three interceptions, it is going forward where the Saints’ faithful will want to see him do damage. He is 11/2 to score anytime with 888sport.com.
Martin will know that he has a job on his hands to stop Pelle in his tracks, but the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index highlights what a fine start to the season he has made. He has won all three of his tackles so far this season, also making an impressive 20 clearances, five interceptions and one block. Not only has he proved solid in defence, but also going forward having hit the target with all three of his attempts, turning two into goals. No matter which end of the pitch, both of these players’ performances may well have a bearing on the overall outcome of this match.
Southampton v Norwich Possible Lineups:
Southampton: Stekelenburg; Cedric, Fonte, Caulker, Yoshida; Targett, Romeu, S Davis, Ward-Prowse; Pelle, Rodriguez
Norwich: Ruddy; Whittaker, Martin, Bassong, Brady; Redmond, Tettey, Dorrans, Howson; Hoolahan; Jerome
Southampton v Norwich Match Facts:
- Southampton have lost just one of their last nine meetings with Norwich City in all competitions (W3, D5, L1).
- Norwich City have not won an away league match at Southampton since a 1-0 victory in the Championship in January 2008.
- Southampton have won just one of their last nine Premier League games (W1, D3, L5), keeping one clean sheet in the process.
- Both their Premier League goals this campaign have been headers. They scored only three Premier League headed goals last season, which was the fewest in the division.
- Victory at Sunderland two weeks ago ended a run of 11 Premier League away games without a win for the Canaries (D3, L8).
- Only once before have Norwich won their opening two away matches of a Premier League season. In 1993-94 they won 3-2 at Blackburn Rovers and 4-0 at Leeds.
Stats via BBC
Southampton v Norwich Prediction:
A 1-1 draw.
Data supplied by the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index. Select and manage your own team of stars with at http://fantasy.premierleague.com/ or with FIFA Ultimate team.