The league cup is here and Southampton are taking on Championship side Derby County in their first matchup in the competition.
The FA Cup is always an exciting competition that offers upsets and heartbreaks for all the clubs involved. This will be Hasenhuttl’s first cup match with the team and it will be interesting to see what type of squad he puts outs, especially when the league and survival are the priority for the club.
I believe he will still take the competition seriously and gamelan for Derby accordingly, but we could see a much changed side and a lot of youth in the starting XI on Saturday.
Why Derby Will Win
Derby currently sit 6th in the Championship and will fancy their chances of beating a Premier League side at home. Especially, one like Southampton who sit 18th in the Premier League. They will undoubtedly come out of the gates high on confidence, flying around the pitch feeling like they can get the result.
Their star player, Liverpool loanee Harry Wilson, will look to prove himself against a top club and prove he has what it takes to play and score against Premier League level competition. He is not afraid to take on a shot anywhere remotely near the net and if they get a free-kick opportunity within 30 yards of the net he will be standing over it looking to strike it home.
Derby will put up a fight. The Saints will have to show up to play or they will be out of the FA Cup before it even begins for them.
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Why Southampton Will Win
It will come down to who Hasenhuttl decides to rest and who he decides to trot out there to face Derby. The only certain is that Angus Gunn will have the task of stopping shots from the opposing side. I am sure we will see a strong mix of first team players and academy players getting the start. It could possibly be the last we see of players like Gabbiadini, Steven Davis, and Wesley Hoedt.
Even with a mixture of senior players and academy players, Southampton should still have enough to win this match. Hasenhuttl will have his plan in place and if he can motivate the players to go out there and give it their all and execute, it could be a comfortable win for, the Saints.
I think many Saints fans feel indifferent about this match. A win is always great but getting out the competition would not be the end of the world.
Predicted Lineups
Derby County: 4-3-3
Goalkeeper: Scott Carson
Defenders: Andrew Wisdom, Fikayo Tomori, Richard Keogh, Jayden Bogle
Midfielders: George Evans, Mason Mount, Harry Wilson
Forwards: Florian Jozefzoon, Jack Marriott, Martyn Waghorn
Southampton: 3-4-2-1
Goalkeeper: Angus Gunn
Defenders: Jack Stephens, Wesley Hoedt, Jan Bednarek
Midfielders: Kayne Ramsay, Steven Davis, Mario Lemina, Matt Targett
Attacking Midfielders: Mohamed Elyounoussi, James Ward-Prowse
Forward: Michael Obafemi
Predicted Score
Derby County 1-2 Southampton