Bournemouth host south coast neighbours Southampton in the FA Cup quarter-final today. It is as good a time as any for the Championship side to play Ralph Hasenhuttl’s outfit as the Saints have lost 10 of their last 12 Premier League matches. They were defeated 2-1 at home by relegation-threatened Brighton last time out, with Leandro Trossard securing the three points after Che Adams cancelled out Lewis Dunk’s opener.
The Saints will be without Danni Ings, Oriol Romeu and Theo Walcott for the clash, while Takumi Minamino – who has impressed since moving to St. Mary’s on loan – is cup-tied. Southampton have reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup once in the last 17 years, and Hasenhuttl believes the clash with Bournemouth is an opportunity to turn around their season.
Meanwhile, the Cherries lie just two points outside the playoff places in the Championship following their relegation from the top flight last season. This is only the second time in Bournemouth’s history that they have been this far in the FA Cup – losing to Manchester United in the quarter-finals back in 1957. Jonathan Woodgate was named the club’s new manager a month ago, and he will be desperate to earn a trip to Wembley with a win over the struggling Saints. Follow all the action below.
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