After their EFL Cup heroics against Arsenal last midweek, Southampton suffered a shocking 3-0 defeat at the hands of Crystal Palace at home league, one of the most under-performing teams this season.
However, their European campaign hasn’t been so erratic. They could guarantee qualification to the knockout stages by finishing runners-up in the group even if they manage a goalless draw against Hapoel Be’er Sheva as the group is already won by Sparta Prague.
However, the Israeli side will come all guns blazing as they still smell a qualification if they manage to win. Be’er Sheva and Southampton are second and third respectively with 7 points. While Inter Milan are eliminated after managing just 3 points from their 5 matches so far.
Team News
Southampton
A win will be the safest result for the Saints. And their European record says they are the favourites to go through. The Saints are unbeaten in seven European home fixtures winning 3 and drawing 4. This season they have defeated Sparta Prague and Inter Milan at home and Be’er Sheva could be the next side to bite the dust. However, the Saints have lost two of their last five games in all competition and don’t look like a very confident team at the moment.
Hapoel Beer-Sheva
Be’er Sheva, on the other hand, haven’t been in the best of form as they have won just one of their last seven on the road in UEFA competition, drawing 2 and losing the other 4. They have, however, won their last five games in all competition, which includes an emphatic 3-2 win over Inter Milan.
Predicted Lineup
Southampton- Forster; Soares, van Dijk, Yoshida, Bertrand; Romeu, Ward-Prowse, Højbjerg; Redmond, Sims, Austin
Hapoel Beer Sheva- Goresh; Korhut, Tzedek, Taha, Miguel Vitor, Bitton; Hoban, Ogu; Nwakaeme, Buzaglo; Maranhao
Key Players
Southampton- Without a doubt, Southampton will highly bank on their striker Charlie Austin. He has already scored 2 goals in 4 Europa league appearances so far and Puel will expect him to get the job done on Thursday night. The other attacker, Nathan Redmond, is yet to score in the Saints’ European campaign but is in a pretty good touch in the domestic league.
Hapoel Beer Sheva- Nwakaeme has been Sheva’s best player this season so far scoring 7 and assisting 5 and although he could manage only one goal in the Europa League, the Nigerian is always a threat. The immensely experienced Ben Sahar is another player who could fire Sheva to the knockout stages.
Odds
Southampton @ 1.44
Draw @ 4.50
Sheva @ 9.00
