Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe says 'derby' with Southampton is a 'huge' game

Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe says Sunday's south-coast clash with Southampton is a "huge" game for the Cherries.

Bournemouth have only won one game of their last nine league derby meetings with Southampton, but Howe is hoping a win over their south-coast rivals will lift the club following Wednesday's 2-1 home defeat to Burnley.

Howe said: "It's a huge game for the football club, and the supporters.

"I see it as a derby, it's as close to a derby as we're going to get. I think it's becoming more of a derby as we play more games against them."

"The rivalry is growing, it's up to us to grow as a club, and to continue to challenge to become a serious rival for Southampton, I still feel we are still some way off that.

"Our games against them have been close, we probably should've beaten them at their place last season and they deservedly beat us here."

"We'll enjoy the atmosphere and the rivalry.

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"I think Southampton have got very talented players. They played very well here, and we played very well there. Both were very tight games."

"I think Southampton have a history of really standing by their managers and an excellent reputation for bringing young players through.

"They are a superbly run football club with a good philosophy of bringing young players through."

Howe could be boosted by the return of striker Jermain Defoe who has not started a game since suffering a calf injury back in October.

He said: "He's probably 50-50 to face Southampton but it's my decision to make as to whether I involve him or not.

"He would probably say he is technically fit, but is he match fit? that's the question.

"It would be a big lift if he is involved, he's an outstanding player who did well for us last season."

The Bournemouth boss is looking forward to a busy, and challenging Christmas period, where he expects to pick up more points than they have during November.

He added: "The fixtures in December are exciting and challenging. We have to try and get everything out of the games we have."

"We got some good points in November, we ended it with a real disappointment but that's the league for you."

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"We can't afford to have a bad December and we need to start the month. if we can, in good fashion. That starts on Sunday.