Bournemouth midfielder Marc Pugh. (Photo : Getty Images)
Middling teams AFC Bournemouth (6-7-3, 21 points ) and Southampton FC (5-5-6, 21 points) will clash at the Vitality Stadium on Sunday, Dec. 18 as the 2016-2017 Premier League season moves forward.
Start Time and Streaming Info
The game starts at 8:30 a.m. ET. It can be viewed live online thru FuboTV.
Bournemouth has been mercurial as of late as the team alternated losing and winning in their last six matches. They are currently in the 10th spot of the 20-team Premier League table, tied on points with ninth-place Southampton and 11th-place Watford with a goal difference in the middle of the two squads.
In their most recent fixture last Tuesday, the Cherries nipped defending champions Leicester City, 1-0, in a game held also at the Vitality Stadium, as per BBC Sport.
Head coach Eddie Howe's men controlled 70 percent of ball possession throughout the match, but they were able to score only once, courtesy of a 12-yard strike by midfielder Marc Pugh in the 34th minute, against the stubborn Foxes defense.
Bournemouth is now in the highest Premier League position in their history at 10th place after the win.
"It didn't feel anything like routine. It was dramatic playing the champions, we know their qualities and the lads did particularly well. It was a heroic defensive display. I thought we were magnificent in that respect," Howe said after the match.
Meanwhile, Southampton was held to a goalless tie by fellow middling team Stoke City on the road at the Bet365 Stadium on Wednesday, Daily Mail Online reported.
The Saints were not able to make the most out of their one-man advantage over the 10-man Potters after Austrian forward Marko Arnautovic was booked with a straight red card in the 23rd minute and was sent off the pitch.
It was a tough break for the Potters, but they were able to keep head coach Claude Puel's side scoreless throughout the match.
With the draw, Southampton remained in the ninth place in the overall standings.
Prediction and Predicted Lineup
The predicted result is another 1-0 decision for Bournemouth.
Bournemouth starting lineup (4-2-3-1 formation): Boruc; Daniels, Ake, Francis, Cook; Pugh, King; Arter, Smith, Wilshere; Afobe
Southampton starting lineup (4-2-3-1 formation): Forster; Bertrand, van Dijk, Martina, Fonte; Redmond, Boufal; Romeu, Ward-Prowse, Davis; Long
