Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the FA Cup match.
Next season, these two clubs could very well swap places, with Southampton returning to the Championship and Burnley rejoining the Premier League. For now, they meet in the FA Cup Round of 16 in what promises to be a tactical battle.
Southampton
Victories have been a rare occurrence for Southampton this season, but they managed a 2:1 away win over Ipswich Town last weekend—a rare bright spot. The FA Cup has also provided some relief, as they comfortably defeated Swansea City (3:0) in the previous round. That result was particularly impressive, as the Welsh side had previously been defensively solid.
Burnley
Burnley remain one of the most fascinating teams this season. Despite two-thirds of the campaign gone, they have still conceded fewer than 10 goals (only. Goalkeeper James Trafford has kept clean sheets for nine consecutive league matches, and their defensive discipline is unmatched. However, they struggle to score themselves, rarely finding the net. In their last nine games, they have recorded five goalless draws and two 1:0 victories.
Southampton vs Burnley Prediction
This match features two completely contrasting teams. Southampton almost always concede two or more goals, while Burnley rarely score more than one. However, one thing they share is low-scoring matches. Southampton have managed just 13 goals in their last 14 matches, while Burnley’s defence ensures low-scoring encounters week after week. Burnley’s defensive discipline will dictate the tempo of the match, making a low-scoring affair the most likely outcome.
