Match Preview

Saints vs Plymouth

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Saints host Plymouth Argyle tonight and are looking to win their second game on the spin. The Saints are confident following the spectacular 2-1 victory at Reading on Saturday. Jan Poortvliet will look to build on that result, and will use tonight`s fixture to turn around the dire home form the club has.

Argyle sit respectively in 7th place on 28 points. Their home form is identical to their away form, having won four, drawn two and lost three. Boss Paul Sturrock highlights the significance of this: ‘Normally it’s the other way round with dramatically more points at home than away,’ he told BBC Radio Devon.

‘If we can keep churning out results here and do what we’re doing away from home, who knows what we can achieve.’ The Plymouth boss said.

The Saints will be boosted by the return of Alex Pearce, who was not able to play at Reading due to his loan contract. However, the Dutchman has declared how the Reading team will remain the same: ‘Alex Pearce is available again and will come into the squad, but the team should remain the same because the boys that played so well on Saturday deserve to start again. There’s no reason to change anything.’

Skipper Michael Svensson has been ruled out by the manager: ‘Michael Svensson is back in training,’ Poortvliet said, ‘but has not had enough time to be ready for tonight, so we will look at him next week for the Charlton game.’

Vital Quotes: Jan Poortvliet on Reading win:

‘The manner of the win was key,’ Poortvliet said. ‘Sometimes you just get the points, but we won the way we wanted to and it was a great game. We got a lot of compliments from their side and now we just have to keep going.’

Southampton Team News:

Saints remain without Oliver Lancashire, Oscar Gobern and Simon Gillet who suffer from injury. Jason Euell is still suspended following his red card at home to Wolves.

Alex Pearce returns to the squad; while Skipper Svensson is still not ready to play tonight.

Player to watch: Bradley Wright-Phillips

After ending his 12 game goal drought, the ex-Manchester City striker will be looking to build on his two goals against Reading.

Plymouth Argyle Team News:

Ex- Saint manager Paul Sturrock is waiting to hear if Paul Gallagher and Karl Duguid are fit to play at St. Mary’s tonight.

With Plymouth’s injury problems, a start for ex-Saint Yoann Folly could be on the cards.

Player to watch: Emile Mpenza

With two goals in three games, the Belgain striker will look to add to his goal tally.

Match Facts & Stats

60 matches played between the two teams, with Argyle taking the edge – winning 23 compared to Southampton’s 19.

Last year, Plymouth won 2-0 at St. Mary’s to give new boss Nigel Pearson a bad start to his Saints managerial career.

Ref Watch:

Mr. Andy D’Urso (Essex)

Match Prediction:

Saints 2 – 1 Plymouth: Bradley Wright-Phillips and Adam Lallana to score. Saints start to build a little run.

Next Fixtures:

Charlton Athletic (A) Saturday 29th November

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