Southampton would expect to continue their good away run when they visit White Hart Lane this week to play Tottenham Hotspur. Spurs have the second-best home record in the league and Southampton’s away winning run could well end this trip, given Spurs’ rampaging run.
Southampton have brought themselves back into the top half of the table after an atrocious few weeks stepping into the new year, which included a four-game losing streak where they lost six of their seven games. However, the brilliant display against United in the EFL Cup final seems to have re-introduced the spark in the players and it will be up to the French manager to help them keep it for as long as possible.
However, the Saints aren’t very likely to churn out a great result at White Hart Lane, given their recent record against Spurs. They have managed to win just once in their last five appearances although the win came as recent as their last visit in May 2016.
Strongest Southampton XI vs Tottenham Hotspur (4-2-3-1)
Defence
Fraser Forster will start under the bar once again. The 28-year-old had a nervy game last time as his side edged Watford out in a high scoring game and he would expect nothing less this time too. With the likes of Dele Alli and Christian Eriksen coming at you all game, the manager would expect his shot-stopper to be at his best.
As Virgil van Dijk continues to be out with an ankle injury, Puel will once again rely on Jack Stephens at the back. And the 23-year-old has been pretty decent alongside Maya Yoshida at the heart of their defence, to be honest. We expect them to start this time too.
The defensive flanks should be taken by Ryan Bertrand and Cedric Soares. This could well be Soares’ final season with the Saints, given the huge speculations of the La Liga giants, Barcelona, scouting him. And he would certainly like to end on a good note.
Midfield
Puel is likely to stick with his central midfield duo of Oriol Romeu and Steven Davis. Though they had a pretty nightmarish game last time with Watford penetrating them very easily, they have what it takes to stabilise the game and Puel will bank on it.
The star of the last match, Dusan Tadic, will start in the number 10 role. The Serbian international had two assists and a goal in the last game and must be brimming with confidence.
Attack
Nathan Redmond will start on the left and Sofiane Boufal on the right. Redmond had a brace last game and will look forward to increasing his tally. Manolo Gabbiadini will lead the attack.
