Southampton v Palace

St. Mary's Stadium, Saturday 3.00pm

Aki Riihilahti

Team news

The only injury worry is Aki Riihilahti (ankle) but he should have recovered in time for the big clash.

Apart from Gonzalo Sorondo (hamstring) and Nicola Ventola (knee) boss IAIN DOWIE will keep the same side that lost to Newcastle last weekend.

Saints boss Steve Wigley will be without first choice keeper Antti Niemi (knee) which means on-loan Kasey Keller will play in goal.

Matt Oakley, Michael Svensson and Marian Pahars are all long-term injuries.

Southampton - league stats

Full league table

Southampton - current form

Full form table

Our away record v Southampton

Last five results

Date	Type	Home Team	Score	Away Team
26/12/1997	League	Crystal Palace	1 - 1	Southampton
27/08/1997	League	Southampton	1 - 0	Crystal Palace
03/05/1995	League	Southampton	3 - 1	Crystal Palace
26/11/1994	League	Crystal Palace	0 - 0	Southampton
16/01/1993	League	Southampton	1 - 0	Crystal Palace

All time results

One to watch

James Beattie

When picking a key man for Southampton there can really be only one choice, James Beattie. The free-scoring centre forward is pivotal to Southampton’s survival hopes.

Has been dogged by injury this season and has only played one game since breaking his toe but scored on his return last week. He is one of the strongest players in the Premier League, and is a “typical number 9” and at one point was tipped as the new Alan Shearer. The only thing stopping that happening has been injuries. His presence in the England squad was deserved although he never really achieved at International level.

His ability to score from, what seems like, anywhere on the pitch makes him a constant threat to even the best of teams. Other players who could prove dangerous to Palace’s defence are:

Kevin Phillips who has scored 3 goals this season alongside James Beattie is always a threat, has speed and agility and can also, seemingly, score from just about anywhere but his place isn’t guaranteed (see below)

Kasey Keller. The on-loan Spurs keeper has been around for what seems like an eternity and his experience could prove vital to The Saints with Niemi’s absence.

Finally, 18-year old wonder kid, Dexter Blackstock. Relatively unknown until recently when he shot onto the scene with a hat-trick in the Carling Cup against Colchester. He’s young, agile, pacy, and has a venomous shot, and has kept Phillips out of the team in recent weeks.

Southampton have a side with a lot of potential but they haven’t fulfilled where they should be. Hopefully their day isn’t tomorrow!

Last meeting

Premiership - KO 19:45 - The Dell - 27/08/97

Southampton 1-0 Crystal Palace Davies 57

Southampton: Jones, Dodd, Todd, Magilton, Monkou, Benali, Hughes, Maddison (Neilson 80), Davies, Johansen (Evans 66), Spedding Subs not used: Williams, Robinson, Maik Taylor.

Palace: Miller, Muscat (Freedman 75), Gordon, Roberts, Tuttle, Edworthy, Linighan, Rodger, Lombardo, Warhurst (Shipperley 82), Dyer. Subs not used: Hreidarsson, Fullarton, Nash.

Bookings: Magilton, Todd (Southampton) Edworthy, Roberts, Warhurst (C Palace).

Attendance: 15,032.

Referee: Jeff Winter (Stockton-on-Tees)

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