Sports Mole previews the Premier League clash between Burnley and Southampton at Turf Moor as the Saints look to bounce back from three successive defeats.

Southampton will be eager to end their recent Premier League slump when they travel to Burnley on Saturday.

The Saints have come unstuck against their top-four rivals in recent weeks and have dropped out of the Champions League places for the first time since August.

Emerging pointless from a run of fixtures against Manchester City, Arsenal and Manchester United has inevitably led to questions over whether Ronald Koeman's men will maintain their lofty heights of early season.

The Dutchman will highlight injuries leaving him short staffed for Monday's 2-1 loss to the Red Devils, but the lack of depth in the Saints squad was evident by the five academy players among their substitutes.

Koeman will have Atletico Madrid loanee Toby Alderweireld back for the trip to Turf Moor after a hamstring strain, but Morgan Schneiderlin and Jack Cork are still sidelined to leave the visitors light in midfield.

The versatile Alderweireld may be asked to operate in the centre of the park, with Maya Yoshida maintained in defence. This would free up Steven Davis to play the number-10 role in which Shane Long has struggled.

While Jay Rodriguez and Sam Gallacher remain long-term absentees, James Ward-Prowse, who suffered a fractured foot in September, has resumed training and could be included on the visiting bench.

Sam Vokes continues to make strides in his own recovery and made it through 90 minutes for Burnley's Under-21s in midweek, although he is not expected to be included in the squad this weekend.

The Wales international has not played since injuring knee ligaments in March, with Sean Dyche believed to be earmarking the match against Tottenham Hotspur on December 20 as his return date.

Meanwhile, Danny Ings, who has been nominated for Premier League Player of the Month following three goals in November, will make do with Ashley Barnes as his strike partner in an unchanged Clarets XI.

Both Ings and Vokes - the Championship's most prolific forward pairing last season - were on the scoresheet when Burnley narrowly lost 4-3 to Southampton in the third round of the FA Cup in January of this year.

Matt Taylor and Stephen Ward again miss out, with Michael Keane expected to retain his place at centre-back, even if Michael Duff shakes off the muscle problem which has kept him out of Burnley's last two games.

The hosts are 19th in the table, having seen their four-match unbeaten run ended by Queens Park Rangers last Saturday, but will climb out of the drop zone with victory in their first ever Premier League meeting with Southampton.

Burnley:

Recent form: LWWDDL

Possible starting lineup: Heaton; Trippier, Shackell, Keane, Mee; Boyd, Jones, Marney, Arfield; Barnes, Ings

Southampton:

Recent form: WWDLLL

Possible starting lineup: Forster; Clyne, Fonte, Yoshida, Bertrand; Alderweireld, Wanyama; Mane, Davis, Tadic; Pelle

Sports Mole says: 1-1