Southampton and Sunderland are yet to register their first win in the Premier League this season. The Saints started with a 1-1 draw against Watford which was probably not the worst result to kick off the new season under new boss Claude Puel but they were brushed aside by Manchester United last weekend. Sunderland, on the other hand, started with a 2-1 loss against Manchester City which came with plenty of positives but their 2-1 loss to nearest rivals Boro last week has definitely made the fans concerned.
Claude Puel has a monumental task on his hands to keep up the good work his predecessors started at the St. Mary’s and even though he had a slow start, the Frenchman can still pick up the momentum and will be looking to get a win at any cost. Sunderland fans are desperately hoping that they do not have to deal with another relegation battle this season but David Moyes, the manager himself, must have hurt the fans with his lack of ambition.
Team news
Southampton
Ryan Bertrand could make his first competitive Southampton appearance under new boss Puel after recovering from knee injury. Oriol Romeu has shaken off a knock that he suffered against Manchester United last week but Jeremy Pied is still sidelined. Florin Gardos is also out with an injury.
Sunderland
Young keeper Pickford is in line for his first Premier League start as Vito Mannone is poised to miss three months through injury. Defenders John O’Shea (hip) and Lamine Kone (back) and midfielders Fabio Borini (toe) and Jeremain Lens (foot) are all minor doubts but new signing Javier Manquillo could feature. Jan Kirchhoff, Billy Jones, Sebastian Larsson and Lee Cattermole are all out with injuries.
Tactical setups and predicted lineups
Southampton
Claude Puel has deployed a 4-4-2 diamond formation at St. Mary’s so far and likely to use that against Sunderland too. Forster will start under the bar behind the back four of Cedric, Fonte, Van Dijk and Targett. The midfield diamond will be Davis, Romeu, Tadic and Hojbjerg. Nathan Redmond will start up front alongside Shane Long.
Starting XI: Forster; Cedric, Fonte, Van Dijk, Targett; Davis, Romeu, Tadic, Hojbjerg; Redmond, Long
Sunderland
Moyes is likely to field his side in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Pickford will start between the sticks behind the back four of Manquillo, Djilobodji, McNair and van Aanholt. Rodwell and Gooch are likely to pair up in midfield. Januzaj and Watmore will start on the flanks while Pienaar is likely to start as the number ten behind Defoe who will spearhead the attack.
Starting XI: Pickford; Manquillo, Djilobodji, McNair, van Aanholt; Rodwell, Gooch; Watmore, Pienaar, Januzaj; Defoe
Prediction
We predict a 2-1 win for Southampton.
