Top four hopefuls Saints scrap with Burnley plus Swans vie with Villa

With Liverpool and Manchester United preparing to duke it out at Anfield, fellow top four contenders Southampton (10/1 with Coral to finish in a Champions League spot) have the chance to make up ground against trap door battlers Burnley.

Relegation candidates Aston Villa, meanwhile, continue to plot their great escape as they welcome Swansea City to Villa Park.

Southampton v Burnley
Saints were superb last time out in their draw at Stamford Bridge, but need to ensure they secure all the spoils on the south coast against Burnley.

Southampton stumbled against the Clarets earlier this campaign, but the story should be different at St Mary’s, where they are odds-on at 4/9 to win.

Coach Koeman spoke about whether his side could battle physically with Burnley, stating: “We know how they play but we have to do better than we did against them last time.

“You know exactly that every game is difficult because the intensity of the games is very high. It’s very physical, okay if you can’t do it on the physical side, you have to do it on the football side.”

Wing wizard Eljero Elia should return for this clash and is 7/4 to hit home anytime against the Clarets, while Senegal starlet Sadio Mane is 9/2 to fire Saints ahead first. Graziano Pelle (4/1 to close the scoring), meanwhile, could start on the bench.

Despite Southampton’s superior firepower, Sean Dyche’s side will fancy their chances after showing spirit to beat champions Manchester City. Burnley are 6/1 to win or 10/3 to hold their hosts to a draw, with main forward threats Danny Ings and Ashley Barnes 11/4 and 5/1 in the anytime market respectively.