OptiNews - Friday 31 March to Thursday 06 April 2017

Southampton Football Club
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Sourced from Daily Mail article

Southampton vs Crystal Palace: Team news, odds and stats

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Ahead of the Premier League’s midweek action, Sportsmail will be providing you with team news, betting odds and Opta stats. Here is all the information you need as Southampton meet Crystal Palace.

Midfielder Sofiane Boufal is doubtful for Southampton’s Premier League home clash against Crystal Palace on Wednesday.

The Morocco international pulled a muscle in his leg during Monday’s training session and will be assessed ahead of the game at St Mary’s.

Defender Martin Caceres could make his debut for Claude Puel’s men after reaching full match fitness for the first time since joining the Saints in February. Manolo Gabbiadini remains sidelined with a groin injury.

Crystal Palace will be without centre-backs Scott Dann and James Tomkins when they visit Southampton in the Premier League on Wednesday evening.

Dann has a medial knee ligament injury and Tomkins has injured his calf, so Martin Kelly and Damien Delaney will come into contention to play alongside Mamadou Sakho.

Patrick van Aanholt is still sidelined with an ankle problem, while James McArthur remains a doubt, but Loic Remy is again available.

Saints have lost just one of their last 13 home league meetings with Crystal Palace (W9 D3), winning the last five in a row.

After failing to win any of their first 12 Premier League games against Southampton, the Eagles have won two of their last three against them, though both wins have come at Selhurst Park.

Sam Allardyce has never lost a Premier League game at St Mary’s, though six of his eight visits there have ended level (W2).

Southampton haven’t lost both league games in a season against Palace since 1990-91, when the Eagles finished third in the old First Division.

Of teams Southampton have faced 10+ times in the Premier League, their joint-highest win percentage is against Crystal Palace (60 per cent, level with Swansea).

Palace have won their last four Premier League games; they’ve only won five in a row in the competition on two other occasions (April 2014 and December 1992).

Allardyce hasn’t won five consecutive matches in the Premier League as a manager since December 2006 while in charge of Bolton Wanderers.

The Eagles have won all four of their Premier League games in which Mamadou Sakho has played, keeping three clean sheets in the process.

Saints have won just once in their last five Premier League games at St. Mary’s, losing three (D1).

Wilfried Zaha has been directly involved in 13 Premier League goals this season (six goals, seven assists); three more than in his previous three top-flight campaigns combined (six goals, four assists).

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362

Sourced from Southampton FC - Official Site article

Puel has faith in striker options

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Gabbiadini missed the 0-0 draw with Bournemouth last Saturday, with the Saints boss starting Jay Rodriguez, who was denied a goal by an offside flag, in his place.

Puel also introduced Shane Long from the bench in the second half, and again has both men to choose from when Crystal Palace visit St Mary’s.

“I haven’t decided who will start yet, but I have confidence in all my players, like Shane and Jay, to make a good game and to bring a good level for the team,” he said.

With Wednesday’s game representing the second of three matches in an eight-day spell, Puel is keeping a close eye on his players’ freshness.

“I need to look at my players,” he said. "Of course, it’s important to have good possibilities on the pitch and on the bench also.

“We know it’s important for the substitutes to give good support for their teammates. Perhaps some players are a little tired and we will see this.”

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363

Sourced from talkSPORT article

Premier League clubs ranked by their top Dream Team scorers – worst to first

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Liverpool will be sweating on the fitness of Sadio Mane as they approach the Premier League run-in.

The Senegalese star is thought of as one of the Reds’ key players having settled in superbly well this season since a move from Southampton in the summer, scoring 13 goals and making five assists.

He’ll be a huge miss for Jurgen Klopp, but is he really their star man?

Using the Total Point Scored metric from our friends at Dream Team FC, we’ve found out each Premier League club’s top player, and ranked them all.

Click the right arrow above to find out who comes out on top…

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Sourced from A tweet by SouthamptonFC tweet

@SouthamptonFC - Southampton FC

Secured your piece of St Mary’s for the new campaign yet?

#SaintsFC’s 2017/18 Season Tickets are on sale now: http://sfcne.ws/1718STsOnSale

Retweets: 0

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Sourced from Daily Star article

Huge Chelsea transfer plan: Antonio Conte plots triple raid on rival Premier League club

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Antonio Conte has added right-back Cedric Soares to his summer shortlist, which already contains left-back Ryan Bertrand and central defender Virgil van Dijk.

The Chelsea boss hopes to strengthen his squad ahead of a return to the Champions League next term.

According to the Standard, Portugal international Soares is wanted to provide competition for Victor Moses.

The 25-year-old, under contract until 2020, has impressed since joining Southampton from Sporting Lisbon in 2015.

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Sourced from Southampton FC - Official Site article

SAINTS: Crystal Palace edition available now

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The young defender fronts the club’s official matchday magazine for the Premier League clash with the Eagles at St Mary’s.

Inside Stephens opens up about his coming-of-age season with Saints, as well as his hopes and aims for the remainder of the campaign.

The 23-year-old also discusses his recent experience with England Under-21s as well as looking ahead to this summer’s European Championships with the Three Lions.

Elsewhere, columnist Franny Benali gives his opinion on all things Saints and tells us why he recently dusted off his playing boots.

Bleacher Report’s Sam Tighe gives a further insight into the opposition, as he dissects Sam Allardyce’s side and explains how Saints can stop their recent good run of form.

All of the usual Saints nostalgia is also included in this edition, as well as a free minimalist poster of Jack Stephens and all of the information you need to know about next year’s Season Tickets.

There are more outlets than ever from which to purchase this season’s matchday magazine, which retails at £4.

You can also pre-order, find all old editions and take out a subscription for the season by visiting saintsmagazines.co.uk.

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Sourced from A tweet by SouthamptonFC tweet

@SouthamptonFC - Southampton FC

:bar_chart:

Check out all the key facts and figures ahead of #SaintsFC’s clash with #CPFC: http://sfcne.ws/StatPackCPFCh

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Sourced from Optimus trousers summary article summary

Summary of non-mainstream articles: 04/04/2017 20:47:37

| | What to look out for during Southampton vs PalaceFOOTBALLLONDON |
| | Crystal Palace boss Sam Allardyce aiming for a point at Southampton following weekend winHEREISTHECITY |

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Sourced from Optimus trousers summary article summary

Summary of non-mainstream articles: 05/04/2017 00:48:13

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| Southampton v Crystal Palace: Injuries hitting both predicted line-upsHEREISTHECITY |
| | Three reasons Southampton should give this much-improved star a new contractFOOTBALLFANCAST |

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Sourced from A tweet by SouthamptonFC tweet

@SouthamptonFC - Southampton FC

It’s matchday! :innocent:

:soccer: #SaintsFC vs #CPFC
:trophy: @premierleague
:round_pushpin: St Mary’s
:alarm_clock: 7.45pm BST
:computer: http://southamptonfc.com https://grabyo.com/g/v/TzrlouFW98c

Retweets: 8

Favourites: 16

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Sourced from A tweet by SouthamptonFC tweet

@SouthamptonFC - Southampton FC

:alarm_clock:

Heading to the #SaintsFC game tonight? Here are your key timings for the day:

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Sourced from Optimus trousers summary article summary

Summary of non-mainstream articles: 05/04/2017 06:47:08

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| Standard: Chelsea add Cedric Soares to summer shortlistSBNATIONWEAINTGOTNOHISTORY |
| | Four reasons Southampton will be drestoyed by Crystal Palace on Wednesday nightFOOTBALLFANCAST |

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Sourced from A tweet by SouthamptonFC tweet

@SouthamptonFC - Southampton FC

:ticket:

There’s still time to secure a seat for #SaintsFC’s clash with #CPFC tonight! Tickets are on general sale: http://sfcne.ws/CPFC050417

Retweets: 1

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Sourced from Optimus trousers summary article summary

Summary of non-mainstream articles: 05/04/2017 07:47:27

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| Premier League Preview – SouthamptonTHEEAGLESBEAK |
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| Southampton boss Claude Puel has faith in ill-firing strikersFANSIDEDSAINTSMARCHING |
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| Predicted Crystal Palace Lineup Vs Southampton: Eagles To Make One ChangeMADABOUTEPL |

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Sourced from A tweet by SouthamptonFC tweet

@SouthamptonFC - Southampton FC

A repeat of this tonight will do nicely! #saintsfc https://grabyo.com/g/v/tLU3rKz947Z

Retweets: 3

Favourites: 4

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Sourced from A tweet by SFC_Foundation tweet

@SFC_Foundation - Saints Foundation

Check out our #SaintsFC boys with their #SignForLife tops! Save lives by joining the NHS Organ Donor Register today… https://twitter.com/i/web/status/849278538922553345

Retweets: 8

Favourites: 6

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Summary of non-mainstream articles: 05/04/2017 08:47:41

| | How Crystal Palace lineup could look vs SouthamptonFOOTBALLLONDON |
| | Chelsea target Saints star - Sport in a StormSPORTINASTORM |
| | Twelve months on from THAT disastrous day in Southampton - Rafa Benitez reminds us of one big thingCHRONICLELIVENEWS |

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Sourced from Optimus trousers’ RSS Feed rss feed

The Ugly Inside News for Southampton

New content from (- The Ugly Inside News for Southampton)

| The Ugly Inside Video Channel ! Crystal Palace Preview | The Ugly Inside Video Channel give their preview of the game against Crystal Palace along with their predicted XI 05-04-2017 |
| The Ugly Inside Video Channel ! Palace Game Opposition View With FYP TV | Our friends from Crystal Palace fan channel Five Year Plan TV give us their view of their teams trip to St Mary’s on … 05-04-2017 |

Older content…

| Puel Needs To Get Tactics Right Against Crystal Palacea day ago |
| The Ugly Inside Video Channel ! Bournemouth Fans Post Match View Point2 days ago |
| The Ugly Inside Video Channel ! Bournemouth Game Saints Fans View2 days ago |
| Saints V Bournemouth The Verdict2 days ago |
| Southampton 0-0 AFC Bournemouth - Player Ratings and Reports3 days ago |
| Saints V Bournemouth The Preview4 days ago |
| Saints To Leave Premier League and Join Bundesliga4 days ago |
| Should We Have A Name For Our Neighbours From Across The Forest ?5 days ago |
| Saints V Bournemouth Dan’s Preview5 days ago |
| Gabbiadini To Miss Bournemouth Game6 days ago |

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Sourced from A tweet by SouthamptonFC tweet

@SouthamptonFC - Southampton FC

:earth_americas:

Let’s hear from you, #SaintsFC fans! Where in the world are you following tonight’s game from?

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Retweets: 1

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Sourced from Daily Echo article

Saints get another look at Sakho

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SAINTS will get a first-hand look at a potential new recruit as Mamadou Sakho comes to St Mary’s with Crystal Palace tonight.

The on loan Liverpool centre-back was looked at by Saints during the January transfer window, but the Anfield outcast ended up moving to Selhurst Park until the end of the season instead.

It took until February for Saints to finally bring in cover after Virgil van Dijk’s injury and Jose Fonte’s exit, with free agent Martin Caceres arriving on a short-term contract.

But, with Van Dijk heavily linked with a big-money move away, Saints could reignite their interest in the France international come the summer, especially if he continues his exceptional form under Sam Allardyce.

The 27-year-old has been one of the main reasons for Palace’s upturn in fortunes in the Premier League, helping them accelerate away from the relegation zone with four straight top-flight victories, including an impressive 2-1 triumph at leaders Chelsea last time out at Stamford Bridge.

Sakho’s debut came in the 1-0 win over Middlesbrough at the end of February and since then Palace have recorded three successive clean sheets, with only Antonio Conte’s high flyers penetrating the South Londoners’ net.

Now Saints will get a look at a prospective summer new boy at St Mary’s tonight, with Sakho expected to be at the heart of Palace’s defence again.

It seems, however, that with each outstanding performance, Liverpool can sniff an opportunity to fill their coffers.

The reports are that, because of his fine form, the asking price to take him from Liverpool, has risen from £20m to an eye-watering £30m.

Saints could well face stiff competition to land his signature too, with a string of Premier League, Serie A and La Liga clubs said to be interested. Napoli and Palace have been linked with permanent moves.

Reds boss Jurgen Klopp is keen to cash in on the former Paris Saint-Germain after he fell out with him last summer.

He has not featured for Klopp’s side since April 2016 after joining for £18m in 2013.

Claude Puel will certainly monitor the situation with his countryman, especially with a constant flow of rumours amount Van Dijk’s future spewing out in the press on a daily basis.

Puel recently stated however that he feels the 25-year-old, who signed a six-year contract at Saints a year ago, still has a lot to learn on the south coast - especially after becoming captain.

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