Jonty’s picks

Southampton host Bournemouth in an English Premier League south coast derby today, with the Saints in severe need of the three points in an increasingly futile-looking bid to avoid relegation.

Mark Hughes’ side are third-from-bottom, four points adrift of Swansea – a place above them, and with just four games left. For Hughes, there is the potential embarrassment of having been involved with two teams relegated from the top flight in one season – the Welshman was sacked as coach of second-bottom Stoke in January.

Bournemouth have no such worries at the moment, with Eddie Howe’s side currently 11th and all but safe, nine points ahead of Southampton. Howe has done a spectacular job of keeping Bournemouth in the top flight on such a low budget.

My feeling about today’s game, however, is that Southampton’s desperation will get them the three points, though it might not ultimately be enough for them to avoid the drop.

Pool Name - S6 V1 P1 M1: Burnley v Brighton & Hove Albion. Burnley power on. TIP: Burnley win = 1 M2: Crystal Palace v Leicester City. Palace to take it. Palace win = 1 Huddersfield Town v Everton. Spoils shared. Draw Newcastle United v West Brom. Toon on top. Newcastle win = 1 Southampton v Bournemouth. Previewed above. Southampton win = 1 Swansea City v Chelsea. An away day.

Chelsea win = 3