The eleven who take the field for Southampton at the Valley on Saturday will have a very familiar look to it. Expect Tonda Eckert to continue with a back three in an unchanged side from the Sheffield Wednesday match.
Southampton predicted lineup: (3-4-3)
Goalkeeper and Defenders
Southampton v Swansea City – Sky Bet Championship | Michael Steele/GettyImages
Goalkeeper – Gavin Bazunu: will continue in goal despite a mixed run of form. Eckert clearly prefers the Irishman above Alex McCarthy, particulalry Bazunu’s superior distribution and qualities with the ball at his feet. Keep everything crossed that Bazunu doesn’t throw in a costly mistake.
Centre-Back – Taylor Harwood-Bellis: Harwood-Bellis had his best game of the season against Sheffield Wednesday and even made the team of the week on some platforms. Harwood-Bellis showed glimpses of being the player he was in the promotion season and even contributed an assist for Adam Armstrong’s goal.
Centre-Back – Nathan Wood: Wood’s run in the team should continue on Saturday at the Valley. Although he made a mistake at Ashton Gate, Wood has generally been solid. In the air, Wood rarely loses out and he is strong in the tackle.
Centre-Back – Jack Stephens: The captain has been in decent form of late and Southampton fans can’t question his passion and determination. Stephens may not be a fans favourite but he will start at Charlton on Saturday.
Midfielders
Southampton v Swansea City – Sky Bet Championship | Michael Steele/GettyImages
Right Midfield – Tom Fellows: Fellows will likely continue in the hybrid wing-back role. In contrast to the Queens Park Rangers match, the winger managed to get forward more against Sheffield Wednesday. His assist for Finn Azaz against the owls was sublime. Saints fans would love more of the same.
Centre Midfield – Flynn Downes: Downes substitution against Wednesday was significant in the context of the match and threatened to keep him out of Saturday’s encounter with the Addicks. Given a clean bill of health today, expect Downes to start alongside Caspar Jander.
Centre Midfield – Caspar Jander: Jander is one of the first names on the teamsheet these days and he is a certainty to start in midfield. The German is proving himself to be one of the signings of the season. With Shea Charles still out injured and Oriol Romeu not yet fit enough to be considered, here is an opportunity for Jander and Downes to establish themselves.
Left Midfield – Ryan Manning: This was probably the tightest of all the selection calls as Welington has completed his three match suspension after being sent-off against Blackburn Rovers. Manning hasn’t let Eckert down in the two matches that he’s taken charge of and that could be enough to get him the nod over the Brazilian.
Forwards
Queens Park Rangers v Southampton – Sky Bet Championship | Jasper Wax/GettyImages
Left Forward – Léo Scienza: Scienza has been Saints’ player of the season so far and his goal against QPR was probably the stand-out moment of an underwhelming campaign. Scienza is the darling of St Mary’s and the first name on Eckert’s teamsheet.
Centre Forward – Adam Armstrong: Saints top goalscorer will hope to continue where he left-off against Sheffield Wednesday. His sublime finish took him to five goals for the season. With Azaz and Scienza having got off the mark, Armstrong may feel less pressure is on his shoulders to supply the goals.
Right Forward – Finn Azaz: Like Ryan Manning, Azaz has had a great international break. Now that he is off the mark for Southampton, that could be the catalyst for an extended run of good form. If Saints can get the front three firing on all cylinders, they are a match for any defence in the Championship.
