Saints Marching
Fansided

Everton vs. Southampton: Pre-match talking points – 18/08/18

By Chris Hughes

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MAY 05: Mark Hughes, Manager of Southampton shows appreciation to the fans after the Premier League match between Everton and Southampton at Goodison Park on May 5, 2018 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MAY 05: Mark Hughes, Manager of Southampton shows appreciation to the fans after the Premier League match between Everton and Southampton at Goodison Park on May 5, 2018 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 4
Next
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 12: Mohamed Elyounoussi of Southampton shoots under pressure from James Tarkowski of Burnley during the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Burnley FC at St Mary’s Stadium on August 12, 2018 in Southampton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 12: Mohamed Elyounoussi of Southampton shoots under pressure from James Tarkowski of Burnley during the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Burnley FC at St Mary’s Stadium on August 12, 2018 in Southampton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) /

No Moi = 3-5-2?

Mark Hughes revealed in the week that Mohamed Elyounoussi was a doubt for today’s game with a hamstring injury, with the Norwegian later confirming to the media that would definitely miss the clash.

With Josh Sims and Nathan Redmond as the Saints’ only other natural wingers, and with the former having recently played with the Under-23’s, it casts doubts over whether Southampton will be able to field the 4-4-2 formation which was so successful in the second-half against Burnley.

As a result, it seems a lot more likely Hughes will stick with the 3-5-2 we saw in pre-season, at least at the start. With Armstrong fit again, we could see the Scot work behind a partnership of Charlie Austin and Danny Ings, with Bertrand and Cedric providing the natural width.