Southampton vs Swansea City. Premier League.
St. Mary's StadiumAttendance31,447.
Saturday 12 August 2017 10:33, UK
Virgil van Dijk has been ruled out of Southampton's Premier League opener with Swansea at St Mary's on Saturday.
Mauricio Pellegrino takes charge of Southampton for the first time in England's top flight but will not be able to call upon Van Dijk, who has not been training with the first-team squad because of a virus.
The former Celtic star has put in a transfer request at St Mary's, but Southampton are determined to keep the player and their stance has not changed, according to Pellegrino.
"My reaction is the same," said Pellegrino. "But I said three weeks ago we are expecting him to come back to train with us because we need the player, we need all of them. Hopefully he can change his point of view because he is an important player and we need him focused on the club.
"The club was clear from the beginning with the player. We cannot control every situation. Virgil is part of the club, he has a contract, now we are waiting."
Swansea have omitted Gylfi Sigurdsson from their season-opener at Southampton as the saga over his proposed transfer to Everton continues.
Clement insists no deal has been agreed as of yet, but hinted both parties are looking for a speedy resolution.
"At the moment no (Sigurdsson will not play this Saturday)," he said. "I think it's in the best interest with everyone involved that's not the case, and in my plans that's the situation that Gylfi will not be involved in the squad this weekend.
"We've got a number of weeks to go and I don't anticipate it going to the end of the window. Of course I would like the situation resolved as soon as possible, I've said that quite clearly."
Summer signings Mario Lemina and Jan Bednarek could make their competitive debuts for Saints as Pellegrino takes the helm for the first time in the Premier League.
Fernando Llorente is absent after fracturing his arm while on a cycling holiday last month, joining Nathan Dyer (Achilles) and Ki Sung-yueng (knee) on the sidelines.
England Under-21 striker Tammy Abraham is expected to make his debut on a season-long loan from Chelsea.
Southampton have won six of their last eight meetings with Swansea in the Premier League (W6 D0 L2).
Swansea's only win at St Mary's in the Premier League came in February 2015, with Jonjo Shelvey scoring the winner that day (D1 L3).
The Swans have failed to score in six of their 10 Premier League contests against Southampton.
In their last 10 Premier League seasons, Southampton have picked up an opening day win once (1-0 v West Brom in 2013, D5 L4).
Southampton have never won an opening day home fixture in the Premier League (D5 L4).
Swansea are unbeaten in their last three Premier League games to start the season (W2 D1).
The Swans will play away on the opening weekend in the Premier League yet again - only one of Swansea's previous six Premier League seasons has started at home (2013-14, lost 4-1 to Manchester United).
Southampton will be looking to record their 1000th home league win in this match, since joining the Football League Third Division South in 1920-21 (P1881 W999 D485 L397).
Only one team - relegated Sunderland (16) - scored fewer home Premier League goals than Southampton's tally of 17 last season.
Swansea loan signing Abraham - who has only two previous Premier League games to his name, both as a substitute for Chelsea - was the top scoring teenager in the Football League last season, netting 23 goals for Bristol City in the Championship.
Things will be better for Swansea this season, I don't see them being caught up in a relegation fight like last term. They've obviously got to sort out the Sigurdsson situation because they will need time to replace him, but after that I see Paul Clement pushing the club on.
Saints are in a similar position with Van Dijk - will he or won't he play? The main players from both teams look like they want to leave so they haven't been able to settle in the run up the season. I see that having a big say in the outcome of this game.
PAUL PREDICTS: 1-1 (11/2 with Sky Bet)
Southampton are Sky Bet's 8/13 favourites to start with a win as Swansea are put up against odds of 19/4, while the draw is priced at 14/5. Manolo Gabbiadini heads the first goalscorer betting at 7/2 from Charlie Austin (4/1), while Abraham is considered the visitors' main threat at 13/2.
