Southampton will make a long journey to Merseyside to take on an in-form Everton team at Goodison Park on Saturday evening. They have managed to give themselves a great chance of avoiding relegation going into the final few matches of this season. Mark Hughes’ side conjured up a victory out of nowhere in the last gameweek. The Saints will now have massive pressure on their shoulders to get a positive result away at Everton.
The Toffees are also doing quite well in the league at the moment and have kept three clean sheets in their last four league matches. They will be far from push-overs so it is expected to be a highly entertaining game between two sides who are desperate to make their mark in the penultimate gameweek of this campaign.
3-4-2-1 Southampton Predicted Lineup To Face Everton
Defence
Alex McCarthy will continue in the Saints goal and might be guarded by a back three of Jan Bednarek, Maya Yoshida and Wesley Hoedt. The Southampton boss Mark Hughes has seen his defence keep it tight at the back in their last two league fixtures and will be hoping that his back three can be rock solid once again when they lace up to take on a dangerous Everton team.
Midfield
Oriol Romeu is set to continue his midfield partnership with Mario Lemina at the centre of the park. Ryan Bertrand will run down the left flank while Cedric Soares operates on the right side of the midfield.
Dusan Tadic and Nathan Redmond could be unleashed just ahead of the midfield four to provide support to their forward in the opposition box. Both players are currently playing at a high level which could give them the confidence to get their names on the scoresheet on Saturday.
Tadic scored a brace in their last league outing versus Bournemouth at the St. Mary’s Stadium so he might just be the man who would make the difference in this clash.
Attack
Charlie Austin could get the nod ahead of Shane Long to lead the lines for the Saints up top as he looks to cause problems for the Everton defenders in the final third. The 28-year-old ace has made 21 appearances for the South-coast side in the league this season, finding the back of the net 7 times so far. Only time will tell whether he can find his goalscoring touch against the Blues of Merseyside in this gameweek.
Shane Long might have to be content with a place on the bench and could be called upon during the game if needed.
