Hello, and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the Premier League encounter between Bournemouth and Southampton.

At one stage this season, it appeared that the rivalry between the two South-Coast clubs may only last a season with Bournemouth slipping into the relegation zone, but in recent months, the Cherries have hauled themselves away from the bottom three to create genuine hope that they can survive in their first campaign in the top flight. There are still 11 games remaining, but Eddie Howe will be delighted that he can head into tonight's fixture without necessarily having to worry about the teams behind them. Well, for tonight anyway...

As for Southampton, it has been an up-and-down campaign for Ronald Koeman's men. At one stage, they looked like joining Bournemouth in a relegation battle but 16 points from six fixtures catapulted the club into contention for a Europa League spot. They lost ground on the likes of Manchester United and West Ham United over the weekend, but they will be right back in the mix with three points this evening.

Anyway, without further ado, let's get taking a look at the team news emerging from the Vitality Stadium.

BOURNEMOUTH XI: Boruc; Smith, Francis, Cook, Daniels; Ritchie, Arter, Surman, Gradel, King, Afobe

BOURNEMOUTH SUBSTITUTES: Federici, Distin, Elphick, Gosling, Pugh, Grabban, Murray

SOUTHAMPTON XI: Forster; Cedric ,Yoshida, Fonte, Van Dijk, Bertrand, Romeu, Ward-Prowse, Mane, Long, Austin

SOUTHAMPTON SUBSTITUTES: Stekelenburg, Clasie, Davis, Tadic, Wanyama, Pelle, Targett

First of all, let's take a look at the visitors. Southampton boss Ronald Koeman has made several changes after the defeat to Chelsea, with Saido Mane, James Ward-Prowse and Maya Yoshida all being included in the starting lineup. There is also a start for Charlie Austin, who is still looking for his second goal for the club after netting against Manchester United on his debut.

The big news coming out of the Bournemouth dressing room is the start that has been handed to Max Gradel. The summer signing has spent most of the campaign on the sidelines but Howe has given him his first start since August ahead of tonight's game. Junior Stanislas is the man to drop out after sustaining a hamstring injury at the weekend.

As always, remember that you can catch pretty much every Premier League fixture with us at Sports Mole. Our list of commentaries for tonight's fixtures can be found here.

REVERSE FIXTURE! The first match between the two teams this season took place on the first day of November, with Southampton securing a comfortable 2-0 win through Steven Davis and Graziano Pelle. They had Victor Wanyama sent off for the first of 3563 times this season (the actual figure is three) but there was never any doubt that they were going to emerge victorious at St Mary's Stadium.

HEAD TO HEAD! You would think that these two teams have met regularly throughout their history, but tonight's contest represents just the 23rd competitive game. The Saints have won half of those matches, with Bournemouth being successful on six occasions. However, Southampton have won the last four games for the loss of just one goal.

Fraser Forster is unlikely to ever repeat his club-record six successive clean sheets but I'm sure that Koeman will be keen for another shutout this evening. The England stopper has been instrumental in helping Southampton surge up the standings.

Can @FraserForster start another run of clean sheets tonight? Here's the #SaintsFC keeper warming up – pic.twitter.com/z0NncWb0lz — Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) March 1, 2016

As we move closer to kickoff, let's take a look at the players who will be leading the line this evening. Benik Afobe, a January signing from Wolverhampton Wanderers, made a huge impression when he first joined Bournemouth but he has gone three games without a goal since netting three in succession. Should we read into that? Probably not, but the pressure is building on the former Arsenal trainee. He has a price-tag to justify and only goals are going to do that.

The same could be said of Charlie Austin, but in all fairness to the former Queens Park Rangers forward, he only started his first game for Southampton on Saturday. It was his first start for two months and it's all about building up match fitness and momentum now ahead of the closing weeks of the campaign. Scoring goals for his club will be a priority but he knows that he has to start finding the back of the net if he is to have any kind of a chance of breaking into the England setup.

We have spoken briefly about what a win could do for Southampton - they could potentially replace West Ham in sixth place with three points - but what about Bournemouth? The match between Sunderland and Crystal Palace will have a direct influence on how much they would benefit from success in front of their own supporters, but they could potentially move level on points with Palace, who at one stage looked more likely to challenge for a top-eight place. First and foremost, winning a football match will be number-one priority for Howe but he knows there is a big opportunity to pull another team into the mix at the bottom.

Ronald Koeman has been pictured having a chat with South-Coast resident Harry Redknapp on the touchline at the Vitality Stadium. Redknapp may have managed both clubs, but I'm sure he is rooting for the Cherries tonight.

PREDICTION! This is a close one to call, isn't it? We don't think it will be your traditional derby where tensions could spill over, but it will definitely be competitive. We are going to go for a 1-1 draw, which would suit Bournemouth more than Southampton.

Looks like Mike Dean is the referee tonight. I imagine he is still in shock after having Louis van Gaal fall down in front of him.

Southampton get proceedings underway.

CHANCE! What a start from Bournemouth, who nearly score inside a minute. A cross into the box was only half-cleared to Ritchie, who drilled a half-volley towards goal that was diverted wide by Forster. It's a brilliant save so early in the game.

The home side are bombarding Southampton's goal with crosses and passes into the penalty area but they cannot create a second opportunity. The Saints eventually get the ball clear to the halfway line.

CHANCE! It's Southampton's turn to almost take the lead. Soares gets down the right flank before crossing for Austin, whose first-time effort goes a few inches wide of the near post from 10 yards. He normally scores those kind of opportunities.

Bournemouth have already had four corners in this game. Forster or a Southampton defender have got to everything, however.

A fifth corner is won at the back post by a Bournemouth man, but Van Dijk gets there before a teammate can capitalise. Howe has got his men pumped up for this. Gradel is adding a different dimension.

Aside from that Austin chance, Southampton have not set foot inside Bournemouth's final third. The Cherries haven't stopped running though - they need to be careful not to over-do things in these opening stages.

There have already been three goals in the Premier League this evening. Chelsea and Everton are ahead away at Norwich City and Aston Villa respectively, while leaders Leicester City are surprisingly behind at home to West Bromwich Albion. Plenty of time for things to change...

SHOT! Southampton finally get more joy against the Bournemouth defence but they waste the chance that comes their way. Mane runs onto a ball hit towards him in the penalty area but he volleys harmlessly over from 10 yards. He just needed to force Boruc into a save there.

Bournemouth are still probing away but they are struggling to carve out any opportunities. They have had the better of the first 20 minutes, however. They have the platform to build on.

There's a big build-up after Bournemouth win a free kick on the edge of the area, but the ball is needlessly teed up to Ritchie and he strikes it into the wall. That looked perfect for a curler over the wall, or one under the wall if they took notes off Coutinho.

Bertrand doesn't need any encouragement to go down on the left flank to win his side a free kick in a threatening position. The ball is whipped in by Ward-Prowse but a Cherries defender heads it into the air before Boruc comes to claim.

Talk about persistence from King. He out-muscles Fonte on the touchline before winning a foul off the Portuguese defender to the right of the penalty area. He had no right to regain possession of the ball there.

Bournemouth take the lead! The set piece is drilled at Forster, who fails to keep hold of the ball, and Cook is there to volley into the corner from eight yards. He didn't make the best of connections with the ball but he won't care! That goal was all down to King winning a free kick out of nowhere.

SUBSTITUTION! Koeman has had enough of three at the back. Yoshida is replaced by Steven Davis, who takes his position in midfield.

Just before that alteration, Gradel had fizzed a 20-yard strike just over the crossbar. He has looked lively considering it is his first start in six months.

There hasn't been much of a response from Southampton. Austin thought that he was about to be played through on goal but the play was brought back for a foul. It's been a frustrating first half for the forward. Five minutes to go until the break.

Sunderland have taken the lead against Crystal Palace. As it stands, they are moving out of the relegation zone. Bournemouth won't mind too much as long as Norwich fall to defeat against Chelsea.

I'm not sure what has gone on here. Fourth official Kevin Friend is said to have banged his head, but no-one seems to know how. In any case, the referee has blown up for half time.

The half-time whistle has been blown at the Vitality Stadium and Bournemouth lead thanks to Steve Cook's volley. They deserve their advantage too. Southampton must improve after half time or it will be a second defeat in three days.

We are almost ready for the restart. To bring you further news on Kevin Friend, he either fainted or tripped and hit his head off the dugout. Needlessly to say he won't be returning for the second half, but he is said to be conscious.

Looks like we are going to have a five-minute delay while the new fourth official is sorted out. Kevin Friend is currently on his way to hospital.

The two teams are starting to emerge from the tunnel now.

Bournemouth get us back underway.

Bournemouth immediately win a free kick on the left-hand side of the penalty area, but Gradel's delivery is over-hit and straight out for a goal kick.

The second half has started in exactly the same manner as the first. Bournemouth are throwing men forward and attacking either flank, and it results in them earning two corners. Nothing comes from them, but they up to nine on the corner count now. Southampton haven't had one.

Sorry Bournemouth fans - Southampton have now won a corner. I will take the blame for that. It's a teasing ball towards teh near post from Bertrand, but Francis does well to head the ball clear. Still no chances to speak about since the break.

Palace have found an equaliser at Sunderland. As it stands, Bournemouth won't be moving level on points with the Eagles.

There's not a whole lot happening at the Vitality Stadium. The ball is going back and forth with neither side being able to keep hold of possession. It looks like Austin is about to depart the pitch after injuring his calf. Big blow for the striker.

SUBSTITUTION! Graziano Pelle is the man who has replaced Austin. He hasn't score since this fixture in November...

While Long receives some treatment, we will tell you that Connor Wickham has scored a second for Palace, who now lead Sunderland. That could be a massive goal.

SUBSTITUTION! Now we have an injury to Harry Arter, who looks to have hurt his ankle after jumping for a high ball. He is being replaced by Dan Gosling.

We are still waiting for the first shot of the second half...

SUBSTITUTION! The third injury in 10 minutes sees Long limp off. What is going on?! Dusan Tadic has been introduced by Koeman.

This has been a very lacklustre performance from Southampton. Koeman is sure to be concerned about his side slipping back into the inconsistent run they had before Christmas. We are still awaiting a shot since half time.

SHOT! We have a shot! It's not the greatest of efforts but we are moving in the right direction. It was Pelle with the effort from distance but he dragged his shot wide. Not by much but it didn't possess the speed to trouble Boruc.

If Bournemouth can hold on here, it will be considered a massive three points because they haven't played well during this second half. If they end the night with an eight-point lead over 18th place, you have to think they will manage to get another six points between now and the end of May.

MASSIVE GOAL! Bournemouth all but seal the three points through Afobe, who gets in front of Forster to nod home a Ritchie free kick. It's poor goalkeeping, but an equally neat finish from the striker.

The Bournemouth fans are understandably in jubilant mood now. They no there is no coming back from Southampton.

SUBSTITUTION! Howe takes the chance to make his final change, bringing on Marc Pugh for Gradel.

Mane thought that he was in with a chance of reducing the deficit after being played in behind the Bournemouth defence but Boruc was out quickly to smother his shot.

There will be four minutes of added-on time.

The full-time whistle goes at the Vitality Stadium and Bournemouth have eased to a 2-0 victory over their South-Coast rivals. Steve Cook and Benik Afobe chipped in with the goals to move the Cherries eight points clear of safety.

That will be all from Sports Mole for this match, but we hope that you can stick around for all of the reports and reaction from the other four Premier League fixtures. Goodbye for now.