Southampton host cross-town rivals Bournemouth on Friday night, in what is set to be an exciting derby.
The Saints secured a 1-0 win over Sheffield United last time around – their second win of the 2019-20 season. Ralph Hasenhüttl’s men are 10th on the Premier League table, level on points with their opponents on Friday, who are a place higher thanks to goal difference.
The last time these two sides met at St Mary’s Stadium, it was an entertaining affair with the game ending 3-3.
Let’s take a look at the possible lineup that Hasenhüttl may put out in the south coast derby:
Predicted Southampton Lineup vs Bournemouth
Goalkeeper
Angus Gunn has started all five Premier League games so far and will continue in goal for the Saints against Bournemouth.
Defence
Hasenhüttl switched from the back four that he played against Manchester United to a back three, with two attacking wing-backs.
Kevin Danso will return from suspension, but Hasenhüttl may not make any changes to his winning combination at the back. The trio of Jannik Vestergaard, Jan Bednarek, and Maya Yoshida started against Sheffield United and kept a clean sheet, and they could keep their place in the team.
Cedric will most likely start for the Saints at right wing-back, as he has done so in the last few games, while Moussa Djenepo will play in the opposite side of the pitch after scoring the winning goal for Saints last time around. Djenepo is the leading goalscorer for the Saints so far this season with two goals.
Midfield
Oriol Romeu and captain Pierre-Emile Höjbjerg will most likely continue in their central midfield roles for the game against Bournemouth, while James Ward-Prowse will also retain his place in the side, further ahead on the right side of midfield.
Sofiane Boufal has pushed his way back into the Southampton starting lineup after having been sent on loan to Celta Vigo last season.
The Moroccan international has registered two assists in the four games that he has played so far, and will provide the flair while going forward.
Attack
Summer signing Che Adams has yet to get on the scoresheet this season and Hasenhüttl may want to take the 23-year-old out of the firing line and bring back Danny Ings to the team for the game against Bournemouth.
