Southampton vs Wolverhampton Wanderers: Preview and predictions
Southampton play their first midweek game this coming Wednesday. They have been drawn at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers, otherwise known as Wolves, in the Carabao Cup.
Southampton should be confident going into this after a hard fought win over West Ham at the weekend.
The Carabao Cup is the rebranded EFL Cup, the one Saints came agonisingly close to winning last season under Claude Puel. But for a linesmen forgetting his contact lenses that day Saints would have surely come out winners in that affair.
A look at Wolves
Wolves have started their Championship campaign in good form, winning three of their opening four fixtures. Losing only to Cardiff, who top the table so far, at the weekend just gone.
The man in charge at the Molineux is Nuno Esprito, who has a fairly good CV having managed Porto and Valencia previously. Esprito has used his contacts at former clubs to bring in some high-profile players at Wolves, most notably central midflielder Ruben Neves who was not long ago touted to play at the highest level.
Still only 20-years-old and already proving his quality in the team, he is someone Southampton should be wary of, not to let him take control of the centre of the park.
Overall, this current Wolves are somewhat of an unknown quantity to those in England, let alone a manager in Pellegrino who is new to the league himself. I expect a stern test from a team that has so far proven it may have the quality to take it’s rightful place in the Premier League next season.
A look at Southampton
After a hard fought win over West Ham, MoPe may feel the need to ring the changes in this game. Giving a chance to the players who have not featured prominently in the first two Premier League games. Opening with a goalless home draw against Swansea before struggling past a ten-man West Ham thanks to a 93rd minute Charlie Austin penalty.
The Saints will not want their first loss of the proper season to be to a lower league side, especially in a competition they did so well in last season. Southampton have the strength in depth with the like of Hojbjerg, Boufal and Austin playing minimal minutes so far this season.
The team that takes to the field tomorrow should be fresh, with a mixture of experience in seasoned pro’s like Shane Long, whilst bedding in new blood such as Bednerak and Josh Sims.
Next: Southampton sign Wesley Hoedt
Predicted line-ups
Southampton:
Goalkeeper: Alex McCarthy
Defence: Jeremy Pied, Jan Bednerak, Maya Yoshida, Matt Targett
Midfielders: Hojbjerg, James Ward-Prowse, Sofiane Boufal, Josh Sims, Shane Long
Striker: Charlie Austin
Wolves:
Goalkeeper: John Ruddy
Defenders: Willy Boly, Conor Coady, Roderick Miranda
Midfielders: Matt Doherty, Ruben Neves, Connor Ronan, Barry Douglas
Striker: Nouha Dicko, Leo Bonatini, Diogo Jota
Prediction
I do not expect this to be a walkover at all, but I feel after struggling against the physicality of Cardiff at the weekend Saints will use that to their advantage and come away with a good result.