Southampton fans are travelling to the Wembley Stadium to watch their team clash against Tottenham Hotspurs in their Premier League fixture. The Saints have not exactly impressed this season with 4 wins and 8 losses. They are currently on a six-game winless streak with their last win coming against Everton on 26th November.
Mauricio Pellegrino’s men need to change the dynamic ahead of this fixture to stop the team from slowly sinking into a relegation battle by late February. Of course, some fans and pundits have sympathised with the rigorous schedule they have faced in the month of December, yet to face Manchester United ahead of the New Year, but you cannot complain when you are in top-flight English football.
In their last fixture against Huddersfield Town, Southampton were expected to get 3 easy points at St. Mary’s Stadium but instead allowed the Terriers to come back into the game and hold them to a 1-1 draw.
Tottenham are on a mission of their own to return to the top 4 of the league standings and get ahead of Arsenal and Liverpool.
Pellegrino is predicted to field his men in the 4-2-3-1 formation.
Defence
Fraser Forster is expected to resume his duties in front of goal.
Ryan Bertrand and Cedric Soares are still in recovery after picking up injuries in the 1-0 loss to Chelsea. Matt Targett is the alternative choice and is expected to start in the left wing with Jack Stephens on the right.
Virgil van Dijk was left out in the last fixture due to technical reasons. He is expected to return alongside Maya Yoshida.
Midfield
Pierre-Emile Højbjerg can look to return to the starting XI for this match along with Oriel Romeu and take up the defensive midfield positions.
James Ward-Prowse might get the nod in the central midfield position. His distribution ability will be crucial for the Saints.
Dusan Tadic can take up the right wing position with Nathan Redmond on the left.
Sofiane Boufal is not the first choice to start under Pellegrino but might make a substitute appearance in the second half.
Attack
Charlie Austin got the first goal for Southampton in the last match but unfortunately went down with a hamstring injury late in the game. Set to be out for at least 2 weeks, Manolo Gabbiadini is expected to start as the lone striker up top. A big blow for the Saints, but Gabbiadini is more than capable to take over the scoring duties.
