Tottenham will be hoping that their star man Harry Kane can help them win at St Mary’s Stadium. PHOTO: REUTERS
With just five games remaining and a seven-point gap separating them from the top four, Tottenham manager Pochettino knows a Champions League spot is now beyond the north London club.
Victory at St Mary’s Stadium, though, would move Spurs ever closer to a return to the Europa League and after a disappointing run in the competition this season.
Pochettino said the demands of the second-tier tournament had affected his side’s domestic efforts. “The Europa League is not an easy competition, it’s very tough because it affects your domestic league,” he said. “You will have the opportunity to stay closer to the top four if you only have to focus on the Premier League and the cups.”
Pochettino’s first return to the south coast club since he left for White Hart Lane after the end of last season will give this clash an extra edge.
Ronald Koeman, Pochettino’s successor, has arguably been even more successful at St Mary’s, reviving Southampton after the departure of their manager and several key players to rival Premier League clubs.
Koeman is unequivocal in his desire to steer Saints into Europe, even though there is an element of disappointment that his side were not able to maintain their challenge for a top four finish.
City seek European boost against Villa
Manchester City will look to continue to draw home comfort from a disappointing season with a victory over FA Cup finalists Aston Villa on Saturday which would edge them closer to a top-four finish in the Premier League.
With City 12 points adrift of leaders Chelsea, their focus now is on ensuring they qualify for next season’s Champions League by holding off the challenge from below of Liverpool and Tottenham, who they play on Sunday week.
The defending champions have struggled to regain last season’s form and focus which saw City win the Premier League for the second time in three years.
“I think we’ve dropped many points this year,” said France international Bacary Sagna. “But we are doing our best to get back to a winning team and to finish the season well.”
Liverpool boss Rodgers refuses to buckle
Brendan Rodgers, ahead of Liverpool’s match against West Brom on Saturday, is confident there is no better manager to deliver silverware for Liverpool, despite facing the prospect of a third successive season without a trophy.
When asked if he would still be in charge next season, the Northern Irishman said: “Very much so. I don’t think there’s anyone better. That’s the reality of how I see it. We want to finish the season strong and take that momentum into following season.”
Saturday
The day’s fixtures
Soton v Tottenham
Burnley v Leicester
Palace v Hull
Newcastle v Swansea
QPR v West Ham
Stoke City v Sunderland
West Brom v Liverpool
Man City v Aston Villa
Published in The Express Tribune, April 25th, 2015.
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