SOUTHAMPTON v NORWICH CITY
Barclays Premier League
15.00 kick-off
St Mary’s Stadium
Saturday, March 15, 2014

ALEX Tettey will be in contention the trip to Southampton despite limping off against Stoke City last weekend, Chris Hughton confirmed at his pre-match press conference on Thursday.

The Norwegian midfielder was caught by Jonathan Walters in a challenge that led to the Potters forward being sent-off, but there were no long-term ramifications from their coming together for Tettey.

The game comes too soon for Jonas Gutierrez, Michael Turner and Elliott Bennett, however, while Leroy Fer will once again miss out with his hamstring injury.

Southampton have pushed on efficiently in their second year back in the Premier League – they currently sit on 42 points in the Premier League table, and have got there playing an exciting brand of high-tempo football under Mauricio Pochettino.

They haven’t managed to beat the Canaries since that return to the top flight, however, with this fixture last season finishing 1-1 after a Robert Snodgrass free-kick cancelled out Rickie Lambert’s opener.

Saints lead the overall head-to-head record with 37 wins to Norwich City’s 32, while there have been 29 draws between the two sides.

MOST RECENT COMPETITIVE MEETINGS…
NORWICH CITY 1-0 Southampton 31/08/2013 – Premier League
NORWICH CITY 0-0 Southampton 09/03/2013 – Premier League
Southampton 1-1 NORWICH CITY 28/11/2012 – Premier League
NORWICH CITY 0-2 Southampton 20/01/2010 – League One
Southampton 2-2 NORWICH CITY 15/12/2009 – Johnstone’s Paint Trophy Area Semi-Final

LAST TIME AROUND… Norwich City 1-0 Southampton, August 31 2013 – Premier League…
Nathan Redmond capped an outstanding individual display with the game’s only goal when the two clubs met in the reverse fixture at Carrow Road at the end of August.

The speedy winger cut in from the left-hand side and beat Artur Boruc with a 20-yard low shot to earn the Canaries their first Premier League win of the season.

Southampton’s best chance came when Adam Lallana hit the post, but it was three points City’s boss Chris Hughton described as ‘important’ when speaking to the media afterwards.

"At this stage of the season we are just delighted with the win. We had got a very good point against Everton, but then it was disappointing when we lost against Hull so it was important we got the three points,” he said.

"Nathan played very well and we are getting together a good team. His form at the end of last season was very good for Birmingham and he has managed to continue that here.

"Southampton have some very talented players and spent very well in the summer so they are always a threat."

SAINTS’ FORM…
W – 1-0 v Crystal Palace (A) 08/03/2014 – Premier League
L – 0-3 v Liverpool (H) 01/03/2014 – Premier League
L – 1-3 v West Ham United (A) 22/02/2014 – Premier League
L – 0-1 v Sunderland (A) 15/02/2014 – FA Cup Fifth Round
W – 1-0 v Hull City (A) 11/02/2014 – Premier League

CANARIES’ FORM…
D – 1-1 v Stoke City (H) 08/03/2014 – Premier League
L – 1-4 v Aston Villa (A) 02/03/2014 – Premier League
W – 1-0 v Tottenham Hotspur (H) 23/02/2014 – Premier League
L – 0-2 v West Ham United (A) 11/02/2014 – Premier League
D – 0-0 v Manchester City (H) 08/02/2014 – Premier League

LAST SOUTHAMPTON XI (4-2-3-1 v Crystal Palace)…
Artur Boruc; Nathaniel Clyne, Jose Fonte, Dejan Lovren, Luke Shaw; Morgan Schneiderlin, Steven Davis; Adam Lallana (c), Jack Cork, Jay Rodriguez; Rickie Lambert.

LAST NORWICH CITY XI (4-4-1-1 v Stoke City)…
John Ruddy; Russell Martin, Joseph Yobo, Sebastien Bassong (c), Martin Olsson; Robert Snodgrass, Alex Tettey, Bradley Johnson, Nathan Redmond; Wes Hoolahan; Ricky van Wolfswinkel.

REFEREE – Kevin Friend…
Leicestershire official Kevin Friend will take charge of his third Norwich City game of the season on the south coast this weekend.

Most recently, he refereed the Canaries’ 2-0 against Everton at Goodison Park on January 11, while he was also the man in the middle for the 4-0 Capital One Cup Fourth Round defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford on October 29.

Friend’s latest assignment was on March 1 when he oversaw Newcastle United emphatic 4-1 win over Hull City at the KC Stadium. It was an eventful day for Friend, who sent Alan Pardew to the stands for his alleged head-butt on Tigers midfielder David Meyler.

He has given just one red card this season, to Sunderland’s Wes Brown against Stoke City at the Britannia Stadium on November 23, but that was consequently rescinded by the FA.

Friend has dished out 73 yellow cards in his 23 matches so far this campaign.

BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE FIXTURES (all games at 15.00 on Saturday unless stated otherwise)…
Hull City v Manchester City (12.45)
Everton v Cardiff City
Fulham v Newcastle United
SOUTHAMPTON v NORWICH CITY
Stoke City v West Ham United
Sunderland v Crystal Palace
Swansea City v West Bromwich Albion
Aston Villa v Chelsea (17.30)
Manchester United v Liverpool (Sunday, 13.30)
Tottenham Hotspur v Arsenal (Sunday, 16.00)

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