Matches between Southampton and Leicester are coming thick and fast this week. After an incredible and unexpected comeback win at the King Power Stadium on Tuesday, it’s the Foxes’ turn to make the trip down the M1 for an FA Cup fourth-round tie, which both clubs could probably do without.
Predicting the Saints team for Saturday’s match is fraught with assumptions and endless possibilities, but for what it’s worth, here is our predicted lineup.
Southampton predicted lineup: 4-2-3-1
Goalkeepers and defenders
Goalkeeper – Daniel Peretz: It is feasible that Tonda might make a change and give George Long his long-awaited debut, but I doubt it. Peretz has been in good form behind a stable back four.
Right-Back – Elias Jelert: The German can consider himself unlucky to find himself out of the side after making a positive difference to the team when he came back from injury. Only the good form of James Bree has kept him out of the side. Jelert could do with the minutes as much as Bree could do with the rest.
Centre-Back – Taylor Harwood-Bellis: Harwood-Bellis is the one constant that enables the team to function well. Scored two goals in the Championship fixture at St Mary’s in November.
Centre-Back – Nathan Wood: Jack Stephens is doubtful, meaning that Nathan Wood could make a return to the first team in tomorrow’s FA Cup fixture. Wood has not started a match since the defeat to Hull City on the 17th January.
Left-Back – Ryan Manning: Supersub, Ryan Manning, will probably start in place of Welington, who has picked up a knock in midweek. Manning scored the equalising goal on Tuesday night to become the club’s third-highest goalscorer this season, alongside Léo Scienza, who also has five goals.
Midfielders
Centre Midfield – Cameron Bragg: The opportunity to rest Flynn Downes and Shea Charles may work in favour of both Cameron Bragg and Casper Jander. Bragg scored the opener in the third round away at Doncaster, and he could be in line for a recall on Saturday.
Centre Midfield – Caspar Jander: Caspar Jander could start ahead of Flynn Downes and Shea Charles. Eckert will not want to risk Downes and Charles in this match, so expect the unexpected when the team gets announced tomorrow. Barnaby Williams and Oriol Romeu could both be surprise inclusions.
Attacking Midfield Left – Sam Edozie: After playing 90 minutes on Tuesday night, Scienza could do with a well-earned rest. At the same time, Samuel Edozie is desparately in need of some minutes and could start on the left.
Attacking Midfield Right – Kuryu Matsuki: Matsuki added energy on the right side as a replacement for Tom Fellows on Tuesday night. He could start on the right or even centrally, depending on Jay Robinson’s fitness. Another permutation is that Cameron Archer plays on the right side and Matsuki down the middle.
Attacking Midfield Centre – Finn Azaz: Azaz may be one of the few players from Tuesday night’s match to be retained in the starting lineup on Saturday. Although he is not every fan’s cup of tea, Eckert values his ability to create chances and score goals. Southampton are short on options in this position if key players are rested as predicted.
Centre Forward – Cyle Larin: Larin became the darling of the Northam stand against Watford, and he could make his full Southampton debut on Saturday.
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