Southampton vs Burnley Predictions

• Southampton have won seven of their last nine home FA Cup ties inside 90 minutes
• Burnley have lost five of their last seven away FA Cup ties to Premier League clubs
• The Clarets are in the thick of a promotion battle and are expected to rest players

Cup is low on Parker’s priority list

Southampton could secure back-to-back wins for the first time since November when they take on Burnley in the fourth round of the FA Cup at St Mary’s on Saturday. The Saints showed some grit and determination to beat Ipswich in a relegation six-pointer last week and ought to make further cup progress if they can repeat that performance.

Burnley are second in the Championship and vying for automatic promotion right now. Sadly for cup aficionados, this competition is a significantly lower priority for Clarets boss Scott Parker and will make wholesale changes again.

He made 11 in round three when the Clarets needed extra time to overcome League One Reading and with a few more injuries in the camp now, some untested academy players are likely to be travelling down to the south coast.

Saints can secure another win

Southampton are capable of taking advantage of any weakening of Burnley’s defence, which has been excellent this season. Ivan Juric’s side have scored in all of their last five games and bagged two or more in three of them.

Their 3-0 third-round win over Swansea, in which sought-after teen Tyler Dibling scored twice, is the sort of result that could be possible again. Burnley have failed to score in five of their last 10 games in all competitions, although their main issues occur at home when opponents come to Turf Moor to defend.

So with new signings Jonjo Shelvey and Marcus Edwards set to be handed their first Burnley starts on Saturday it may be best to spurn the win to nil option and just take the Saints to progress without the need for extra-time or penalties.