Fansided

5 Premier League matches you really can’t miss this season

By Clemente Lisi

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 04: Mohamed Salah of Liverpool takes a shot that is blocked by John Stones of Manchester City during the FA Community Shield match between Liverpool and Manchester City at Wembley Stadium on August 04, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 04: Mohamed Salah of Liverpool takes a shot that is blocked by John Stones of Manchester City during the FA Community Shield match between Liverpool and Manchester City at Wembley Stadium on August 04, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images) /
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Bournemouth forward Joshua King is blocked by Southampton midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Southampton defender Jan Bednarek during the Premier League match between Southampton and Bournemouth at St Mary’s Stadium, Southampton on Saturday 27th April 2019. (Photo by Jon Bromley/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Bournemouth forward Joshua King is blocked by Southampton midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Southampton defender Jan Bednarek during the Premier League match between Southampton and Bournemouth at St Mary’s Stadium, Southampton on Saturday 27th April 2019. (Photo by Jon Bromley/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images) /

Southampton vs. Bournemouth

The Premier League goes beyond the big clubs like Manchester City and Liverpool. If we see a replay of last season’s Southampton versus Bournemouth game, then we can guarantee another rollercoaster season for teams across the table. The south coast derby was highlighted by two teams fighting to stave off relegation (both did!) on matchday 36.

With the lead changing hands several times, the game featured plenty of shooting (31 total between both sides) and passing (810). In the end, a goal by Callum Wilson, his second of the game, made it 3-3 for Bournemouth in the 86th minute. Despite their failure to win, the result was good enough to ensure Southampton safety from the drop.

The six-strike game was no surprise for a league that produced a record 1,072 goals during the 2018-19 season, 36 of those coming on the final matchday alone.

Expectations are high for Wilson going into this season. He tallied 14 goals in 30 matches last season and could better that rate this season. Southampton and Bournemouth meet on September 20 at St. Mary’s Park. It could very well again be a game between two teams looking to avoid the drop and Southampton will look to leverage the home-field advantage.

These are two sides aiming to finish mid-table or better, an optimistic outcome for sure. If anything, the start of the season is the time for teams of all levels to dream. The course of the season will render its verdict.

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