Burnley-Southampton Preview

Burnley will be looking to build on last weekend's huge upset win over Manchester City as they travel to St Mary's Stadium to take on Southampton on Saturday.

Sean Dyche's Burnley (5-10-11) gave themselves hope of avoiding relegation with their 1-0 win over City last time out, ending a run of seven games without a win. However, the Clarets are still one point from safety with nine games remaining, and the players are desperate to build up some momentum into the season's last two months.

"There's been a belief all season," defender Michael Duff said. "We know from the outside that nobody has given us a prayer, but we are still there-or-there-abouts with nine games to go. There is a real energy in this team and a hunger too. Not many of us have played at this level for much of our career, so the lads are desperate to stay where we are.

"The result last weekend gives everyone a big lift, especially with the performance as it was, but it's only three points. It maybe sucked a few other teams closer to us, but it's just one game. Nothing has changed since day one and it won't change in the next nine games, but there is definitely a belief that we can achieve something this year."

Saturday's hosts Southampton (15-5-9) ground out a 1-1 draw with league leaders Chelsea last weekend, but have now won just two of their last seven games to slip off the pace in the race for the Champions League places. The fact that such a situation will disappoint some Southampton supporters only shows what a remarkable season it has been for the Saints.

With nine games remaining and fifth-placed Liverpool just four points above Ronald Koeman's side going into the latest round of games, the players are keen to make sure their efforts in securing that point versus Chelsea don't go to waste.

"We need to beat Burnley next week and then Chelsea will be a great point," defender Jose Fonte said. "It will be a big point if we beat Burnley next week. If we don't, it's pointless.

"We expect tough games until the end. We know it's going to be hard but, obviously, we believe we can win any game until the end. I think the most important is that we have the full squad back. That brings the competition in training really high and it makes sure everyone is on the front foot.

"Everyone is fighting for their place to be in the team and if you want to be in the team you have to be at your best. Everyone is switched on. The rhythm is back and hopefully we can maintain this until the end."

Burnley have injury doubts over Matty Taylor, while both Dean Marney and Kevin Long are facing lengthy spells on the sidelines with knee ligament injuries. Southampton remain without Eljero Elia, Emmanuel Mayuka and Jay Rodriguez.

An Ashley Barnes goal saw Burnley shock Southampton 1-0 at Turf Moor earlier in the season. That was the first Premier League meeting between these clubs. The Saints came out on top in a rollercoaster FA Cup third round match-up with the Clarets last season, emerging as 4-3 victors after being pegged back from an early 2-0 lead.