Southampton are yet to register their first win in the Premier League this season but Claude Puel’s boys made a strong statement in the Europa League by thrashing Czech Republican giants Sparta Prague 3-0. They will be high on confidence after their stunning win in the Europa League and will be looking to clinch their first win in the Premier League when they take on Swansea City on Sunday.
The Swans kicked off their season with a win over Burnley but then back to back losses to Hull City and Leicester City followed them. If not for a Diego Costa show last week, they could have taken all three points against Chelsea. It’s still early days of the season but Southampton fans will be desperate to come out of the relegation zone as soon as possible. Swansea are sitting 13th on the table and will look to improve their position.
Here is the predicted Southampton lineup against Swansea City.
Defence
Fraser Forster will keep his place under the bar. Cuco Martina started in the midweek in the Europa League and we expect him to be replaced by Cedric Soares in the right-back position. Virgil van Dijk will keep his place at the heart of the defence. Maya Yoshida started against Sparta Prague on Thursday and had a good game but he has to make the room for skipper Jose Fonte. Ryan Bertrand was on the bench against Sparta Prague in the midweek and is also likely to walk back to the starting XI in the place of young Matt Targett.
Midfield
Oriol Romeu is a key player for the Saints right now and has been ever-present at the base of the midfield diamond. The Spaniard will keep his place in the middle of the park. James Ward-Prowse had a brilliant game in the midweek and will keep his place against Swansea. Steven Davis should start against Swansea as the other box to box midfielder. We can expect Nathan Redmond to start at the tip of the midfield diamond.
Attack
Charlie Austin made a strong bid for a starting role with a brace against Sparta Prague in the midweek and the Englishman is likely to keep his place up front. Jay Rodriguez, for the second time this season, scored a goal from the bench and could start ahead of the wasteful Shane Long.
