Having suffered five defeats in a row including the midweek shock at Sheffield United and with some nasty fixtures to come at the turn of the year, Southampton could really do with a win. However they are so ravaged by injury and suspension that Toby Alderweireld may start in midfield to add steel. Everton arrive five places and points below them but travel to the south coast after overcoming a winless league run of four with a 3-1 victory over QPR on Monday. Alan Smith
Kick-off Saturday 3pm
Venue St Mary’s Stadium
Last season Southampton 2 Everton 0
Referee A Name
This season G12, Y43, R5, 4.0 cards per game
Odds H 6-4 A 21-10 D 5-2
Southampton
Subs from K Davis, Gazzaniga, Gape, Cropper, Flannigan, Seager, McCarthy, Targett, S Davis, McQueen, Isgrove, Mayuka
Doubtful Pellè (knock), S Davis (ham)
Injured Cork (ankle, Jan), Gallagher (26 Dec), Hesketh (26 Dec), Rodriguez (all knee, Jan), Tadic (calf, 26 Dec)
Suspended Gardos, Schneiderlin, Wanyama (all one match)
Form WDLLLL
Discipline Y24 R0
Leading scorer Pellè 7
Everton
Subs from Robles, Stones, McCarthy, Barry, Gibson, Eto’o, Osman, Garbutt, Browning, Koné, Oviedo, Alcaraz
Doubtful Gibson (knee), Osman (foot), McCarthy (hamstring)
Injured Atsu (hamstring), Hibbert (both unknown), Mirallas (ankle, 26 Dec)
Suspended None
Form DWLDLW
Discipline Y28 R0
Leading scorer Lukaku 6
