Predicted Southampton Lineup To Face West Ham United In The Premier League
Southampton will be looking to chalk up their first win under new boss Mauricio Pellegrino, when they take on West Ham United at the St. Mary’s on Saturday in match-week two of the Premier League.
The Saints were held to a 0-0 draw by Swansea City on the opening day of the season and they will have been left frustrated by the result, considering the amount of chances they created and failed to convert. They will look to make the most of their opportunities against a West Ham defence that will be low on morale after being thumped 4-0 by Manchester United in their season opener.
Team News
Defender Virgil van Dijk is the only absentee for Southampton, as he looks to sort out his future before the transfer deadline day.
Manager: Mauricio Pellegrino
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Fraser Forster (GK)
The England international is the undisputed first-choice between the sticks and will start against the East London outfit.
Cedric Soares (RB)
The Portuguese right-back has been a consistent performer for the Saints in the past two years and has made the spot in his own. A certain starter.
Jack Stephens (CB)
The youngster has impressed over the last few months in the absence of Van Dijk. Will be tasked with keeping Javier Hernandez quiet.
Maya Yoshida (CB)
The Japanese international did not have the best of the games last time around and even missed a couple of opportunities to score a goal. Better performance will be expected.
Ryan Bertrand (LB)
Another consistent performer in the South Coast club’s defence, the former Chelsea man is also a guaranteed starter for Pellegrino.
Steven Davis (CM)
The Republic of Ireland and Southampton captain will occupy one of the two pivot positions in the middle of the park.
Oriol Romeu (CM)
The Spaniard has grown into one of the best defensive midfielders in the Premier League and put in a Man of the Match display against Swansea. More of the same is expected from the Barcelona academy graduate.
James Ward-Prowse (RW)
The young Englishman was given a start on the right flank by the manager, against the Swans, and no change is expected in this position.
Dusan Tadic (CAM)
The creator-in-chief for the Saints, the 28-year old Serb will operate in the hole behind the striker and look to pull the strings.
Nathan Redmond (LW)
The England youth international could prove to be a handful for the West Ham defence with his pace and trickery.
Charlie Austin (ST)
With Manolo Gabbiadini misfiring in the opener, Pellegrino might look to switch things up against the Hammers, giving Charlie Austin the nod ahead of the Italian.