Saints travel north to face West Bromwich Albion at the Hawthorns on the opening day of the Barclays Premier League season 2013/2014.
Saints will have two summer signings at their disposal, with midfield powerhouse Victor Wanyama and defender Dejan Lovren hoping to make their Premier League debuts this weekend.
The Baggies could give debuts to young loanie striker Matej Vydra, signed on loan from Udinese, and fellow frontman, the classy experienced and dangerous Nicolas Anelka.
Neither club has a good first day of a season record in the Premier League so one of the clubs could improve those stats after this game.
Defeats home and away in this fixture last season mean Saints will need no further incentive to put one over on the Baggies this weekend.
Vital Quotes:
Steve Clarke: ‘I think throughout last season – even from Southampton’s first game, when they lost 3-2 at Man City – they showed they would compete and try and play good football. I like them – I like a lot of their players, and I think they’re a good footballing side.
‘They had a really good first season back in the Premier League. They invested heavily when they came up and they’ve invested heavily again this summer. They’re making their intentions clear that they want to become a viable, positive Premier League club.
‘For us, I think it is a dangerous game and we need to be 100 per cent focused on it to make sure we get the right result. I expect the same side from Southampton and I`m hopeful we’ll get the same results.’
Mauricio Pochettino: ‘I know Anelka very well having played with him at PSG and Vydra is also a quality player, but it’s not only them – the rest of the squad is also very good.
‘West Brom have good players like [Markus] Rosenberg and [Shane] Long, and they are a very direct side. We know who we’re facing on Saturday, so hopefully we’ll be able to match them.
‘This is a new season and a different kind of season. We’re going to West Bromwich with the mentality that we want to win the game, so it’s clear that the past doesn’t really count for anything now. What really counts is what we do on Saturday.’
West Bromwich Albion Team News:
Nicolas Anelka and Matej Vydra are expected to play.
Player to watch: Matej Vydra
This young striker was exceptional last season for Watford in the Championship. He managed to score 22 goals.
Southampton Team News:
Saints will be hoping that backs Clyne and Shaw will be fit enough to play.
Player to watch: Victor Wanyama
Saints new power packed midfielder will be keen to show his class.
Match Facts & Stats
The Baggies will be hoping for a similar result to last season.
The last eight meetings between these clubs show the Baggies with 2 wins, Saints with 1, and 5 matches drawn.
Ref Watch:
Kevin Friend will officiate
Mark Scholes and Ron Ganfield assist
Chris Foy is 4th official
Match Prediction:
This is likely to be a contest between the strikers. Sadly I predict another poor opening day result for Saints.
2-1
