Southampton vs Burnley Preview: xG timelines, crosses, aerial duels and more – what do the stats say? | OneFootball

Southampton host Burnley at St. Mary’s Stadium in the Premier League on Saturday, with both sides having had disappointing starts to their seasons so far.

Southampton are currently 15th in the table. Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side picked up their first league win of the season last time out against Leeds United and will hope to carry that momentum into the game against Burnley on Saturday. Burnley are yet to win a game this season and currently find themselves 18th in the table. Sean Dyche’s side will look to kickstart their season with a win against Southampton on Saturday.

It has not been an easy start to the season for the Saints, with six of their eight games so far coming against teams that finished in the top half in 2020-21. Southampton have the second-best defensive second from teams in the bottom half of the Premier League table. It is at the other end where they have struggled most, scoring just six goals all season. Only Burnley and Norwich City have found the back of the net on fewer occasions.

The above stats show us the attacking metrics for Southampton’s game against Leeds United in the last week. Southampton created more chances and had a higher xG from the start of the game which helped them gain confidence and took the game to their opposition.

Southampton dominated the game against Leeds and put up a much-improved performance than their previous performances. They attempted 17 shots on goal and had four shots on target. They created most chances from the left flank and were able to get into good positions to attempt a shot on the goal. Burnley will be a compact defensive unit and it will not be easy to break them, but Southampton can maintain the pressure on their defence if they play attacking football. Armando Broja and Nathan Redmond were key figures in their win against Leeds and will look to show their impact in the game against Burnley as well.

Burnley will be desperate to get off the mark as we approach the quarter-way stage of another season in which their primary goal is to stay in the division, but they too have had a relatively difficult start. Like Southampton, six of their eight outings have come against teams that finished in the top half last season, including away games against both Liverpool and Manchester City already.

Burnley will look to play on their strengths which is the physicality they possess. Burnley have always been a threat from set-pieces and crosses because they have players who can win aerial balls with ease. The Clarets have attempted the most number of successful crosses in the league and will try to use the same against Southampton.

The Clarets have attempted the most aerial duels in the league and have also won the most duels. These aerial duels are not only while defending their goal but are also in the final third inside the opposition penalty area. Even if Burnley are not able to dominate possession of the game, one good ball into the penalty area from a set piece situation can turn the game for them.

Burnley are looking for their first win of the season and have been struggling to score goals much like Southampton. The Saints currently sit in 15th position on the table and Burnley are 18th. For Southampton, it is a chance to get further away from the relegation zone and for Burnley it is a chance to gain some momentum.

Southampton predicted starting lineup: McCarthy, Livramento, Bednarek, Salisu, Perraud, Elyounoussi, Romeu, Diallo, Armstrong, Redmond, Broja.

Burnley predicted starting lineup: Pope, Lowton, Mee, Tarkowski, Taylor, Cornet, Westwood, Cork, McNeil, Barnes, Wood.