Southampton handed ‘massive’ opportunity after international break at St Mary’s

Southampton will have a ‘massive’ opportunity to bounce back to winning ways after the international break when Everton travel to St Mary’s in the Premier League, according to journalist Dean Jones.

Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side have suffered consecutive defeats in the top flight and will be eager to put things right when Frank Lampard takes his squad to the south coast.

It has been a campaign blighted by inconsistency for the Saints so far this season having won two, drawn one and lost four of their seven Premier League games.

Impressive victories away to Leicester City and at home to Chelsea have been marred by sloppy defeats to Wolverhampton Wanderers and Aston Villa in recent weeks.

Friday night saw Steven Gerrard’s side edge a closely contested clash at Villa Park, with Hasenhuttl describing his team’s performance as ‘frustrating’ in his post-match press conference.

It is in possession where the Austrian feels his side have not done enough this season, with an xG (expected goals) rating of just 7.26 so far, the sixth lowest in the division.

Jones believes that the game with Everton after the international break is the ideal fixture for Southampton.

The journalist describes the Toffees as a side anyone would feel confident against at home at present.

When asked how important the match could be for the Saints, Jones told GIVEMESPORT: “Massive in terms of style of performance as well as result. It’s a pretty good fixture to come back to, Everton are a team you would want to play at home at a time when you need a win.”

Everton sit one place ahead of Southampton going into the break with just goal difference separating the teams.

Lampard’s side have begun to show signs of form in recent weeks and are unbeaten in their last