Dan gives us his views ahead of our second trip to Wembley of the year, will this visit yield more than the one last season.
On Boxing Day, Saints take the trip to the national stadium for their second visit in 10 months, something we didn’t think we’d be saying a year ago! Of course, this is for a league match against Tottenham who’s form has been a bit inconsistent over the last month or two.
However, Spurs had a brilliant win at high-flying Burnley as Harry Kane hit a hattrick against the Clarets in a 3-0 victory. The striker will be as keen as ever to score past Saints as a goal would see him surpass Alan Shearer’s record for the most goals scored in a calendar year by an Englishman.
It’s not all about Kane though, of course, as Son, Erisksen, Alli, etc. could all cause Southampton some difficulties both in attack and defence.
At first, it didn’t seem as if Spurs would settle into Wembley but wins against Liverpool, Stoke, Bournemouth, Palace and Brighton in the last six league home games with another point in that time against West Brom has seen the doubt over Spurs’ home form shrivel.
However, some teams, more so from the lower end of the table, have gone to Wembley and frustrated the home side as Burnley, Swansea and West Brom have gotten a point in the league and West Ham came from two goals down to knock their rivals out of the League Cup. Despite losing, Bournemouth and Crystal Palace both came close to earning something when they visited so there’s clearly a possibility for Saints if they play their cards right.
Of course, a draw last time out against Huddersfield was no where near the ideal result, but we have to stop dwelling on it as a push up the table is vital in the second half of the season. Teams in a similar predicament to us have taken something from Wembley and, if we defend well and create chances, there’s no reason why we can’t take a point.
Charlie Austin is certain to miss out as the striker has been charged by the FA for a kick on Huddersfield keeper Jonas Lossl, keeping him out for at least three games; I say at least as he also suffered a hamstring injury against Town.
Cedric and Ryan Bertrand are also unlikely to feature as recovering from injuries suffered only a week ago isn’t likely.
It seems that Manolo Gabbiadini will have to be Saints’ Wembley hero once again as the Italian is very likely to lead the line at Spurs on Tuesday. Last time he played at the national stadium he should’ve had a hattrick so hopefully that’s good omens.
Prediction: from this game and the trip to United in another couple of days, I would think if we were to get anything from either game it would be this one. Problems at Wembley have been solved but I can see us giving them a tough game. Of course, Kane will be determined to get his record so I’ve gone with the incredibly optimistic 1-1 draw, with Gabbiadini scoring the opener for us