A lacklustre Southampton side will host Watford on Saturday, who have been quite impressive so far under new boss Marco Silva. However, now with the chaotic market closed, Southampton’s manager will hope things to come back to normalcy.
Here is how he might field his side for this weekend’s game against Watford:
Predicted 4-2-3-1 Southampton Line-up vs Watford
Defence
Fraser Forster will start under the bar without a doubt. The English shot stopper was responsible for numerous close shaves that the Saints experienced last season and escaped. His gigantic frame, like Leicester City’s Kasper Schmeichel, makes it very difficult for opponents to score.
The transfer window is finally over and contrary to everyone’s expectation, Southampton’s star player Virgil van Dijk is still at the club even after he had purportedly handed in a transfer request a month back. The South Coast club has shown immense determination to hold on to him and fans are dying to see him partnering new arrival and compatriot Wesley Hoedt at the back.
However, the Dutch enforcer lacks match fitness and could miss out the game against Watford. Pellegrino knows Watford aren’t that lethal in their attack and he will try to give him one more game to get back to full speed. He mostly used youngster Jack Stephens alongside the reliable Maya Yoshida at his central defence so far, but we expect Hoedt to replace Stephens in this game.
The defensive flanks are likely to be taken by the dazzling Cedric Soares and Ryan Bertrand. Their speed and movement have kept them in huge demand this summer but Southampton have managed to retain them too.
Midfield
Pellegrino’s tactics need the midfield to play a key part in the campaign and Southampton do have some fabulous players in that position. Claude Puel had used the likes of Oriol Romeu and Steven Davis to the maximum to get results last season and with the new manager getting a major upgrade in Mario Lemina from Juventus, the Saints have found a new level of composure.
The Gabon international scored a cracker on international duty and will hope to carry his touch into the Premier League too. He should be in the double pivot with Romeu. The number 10 position is expected to be taken up by the brilliant Dusan Tadic. The Serbian international has already scored a goal this season and remains their key constructor.
Attack
Like their full backs, Southampton have two young and clever wingers in Nathan Redmond and Sofiane Boufal, who can create problems with their movements and crosses. Manolo Gabbiadini will start as the centre forward.
