Predicted Southampton Line-up To Face West Bromwich Albion In The Premier League
Southampton will hope to get the maximum number of points, when they host Tony Pulis’ West Bromwich Albion side, on Saturday, at the St. Mary’s Stadium.
The Saints are winless in their last three Premier League encounters and have won just once in their last seven outings. As a result, they find themselves at 11th place in the league standings, with nine points – a point and a place behind their Saturday’s opponents.
Last weekend, they were held to a 2-2 draw at home by Newcastle United and manager Mauricio Pellegrino will be hoping to avoid a similar result and come out with all three points against the Baggies.
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The only injury concern for the Saints is the absence of Jeremy Pied. Matt Targett featured for the Saints’ U-23 this week, but may not find a place in the first-team for Saturday’s clash.
Here’s how Southampton could line up against the Baggies:
Manager: Mauricio Pellegrino
Formation: 4-4-2
The manager could stick with a 4-4-2 that seemed to add more goal-threat to his side against Newcastle United this past weekend.
Fraser Forster (GK)
The England international was at fault for both goals last weekend but given the lack of a quality backup, he should continue to be the No.1 for Saints.
Cedric Soares (RB)
An ever-present in the Southampton line-up, we might continue to see Cedric start at the right-back slot against the Baggies.
Maya Yoshida (CB)
The Japanese defender has been fairly solid each time he has been picked and we could see him start at the back again, ahead of summer signing Wesley Hoedt.
Virgil van Dijk (CB)
Is one of the best in his positions in the Premier League and having worked his way back to full fitness, he will be a constant fixture in the Saints’ defence.
Ryan Bertrand (LB)
One of the league’s most underrated left-backs, Ryan Bertrand has been a consistent presence for Southampton at left-back. Should take the field against West Brom.
Dusan Tadic (RM)
The Serbian attacker hasn’t been able to provide the spark in the attack for the South Coast club. Needs to start pulling his weight.
Oriol Romeu (CM)
Another constant fixture in the line-up, Spaniard Oriol Romeu will look to screen his back four and break up play in the midfield.
Mario Lemina (CM)
The former Juventus man should partner Romeu in the middle of the park. He will be tasked with providing the forward thrust from the central areas of the pitch.
Nathan Redmond (LM)
The English wide-man hasn’t been able to hit the form of last season so far for the Saints. He is another player who needs to step it up a notch in the coming weeks.
Shane Long (CF)
At the top, we could see Shane Long start against West Brom. He is yet to score a goal this season, in over 400 minutes of league footballing action and will be hoping that it changes on Saturday.
Manolo Gabbiadini (ST)
Broke his rut in front of goal with two very well taken goals against Newcastle last week. Will be buoyed after the display and will want to continue in the same vein of form.