Southampton have had a pretty drab start to their Premier League campaign having won just once in the six games they’ve played. Last weekend’s thrashing at the hands of Liverpool, however, was pretty much expected considering how the Merseyside club have started their season.
The Saints will take on Wolves this Saturday and even though the newly promoted side are in better form and have started the season well, their more expansive style of play could give Mark Hughes’ side an opportunity to pick up their second win.
Southampton played their best half of football against Brighton more than a week ago but threw the game away in the second half to only manage a point. If they can consistently replicate that first half showing, then they could climb up the table swiftly.
Southampton Team News
Mark Hughes will be without the forward duo of Mohamed Elyounoussi and Manolo Gabbiadini. We could see a change in midfield with James Ward-Prowse coming in. Danny Ings will return to the starting XI having missed the clash against his parent club Liverpool last weekend.
Southampton Predicted Lineup
Defence
James McCarthy has had a good few outings and should keep his place in goal. Ryan Bertrand has been a key figure not just at the back but also going forward having contributed a key pass per game on an average. Cedric Soares has had a mixed start to his season, however. The duo will start as the two fullbacks.
Jannik Vestergaard has had a pretty impressive start to his Southampton career and he is expected to start alongside Wesley Hoedt at the heart of the defence.
Midfield
Mario Lemina could line up alongside Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg. Both of them are pretty good during the transition and it’ll be a good contest against Ruben Neves and Joao Moutinho. Hojbjerg has an average of 1.3 key passes a game and his creativity on the break will be a key factor.
Ward-Prowse could displace Romeu from the lineup and start in his preferred role on the right. Nathan Redmond has often provided the spark up front and averages 2.2 dribbles a game, so he’ll be a threat. He should start on the left.
Attack
Danny Ings will lead the line and will hope to keep up his impressive start. Not only has he scored thrice but he’s also a key contributor to the build-up play, having managed 1.6 key passes and 1.4 dribbles per game. New signing Stuart Armstrong could start just behind Ings in the number 10 role.
Ings
Redmond – Armstrong – Ward-Prowse
Hojbjerg – Lemina
Bertrand – Hoedt – Vestergaard – Soares
McCarthy
Stats via Whoscored