Southampton vs Everton: Predicted team line-ups and tactics
By Marc Walker
Southampton return to home turf on Sunday and will look for another positive result in the Premier League when they host Everton.
Saints have responded to a sluggish start to 2020/21 with two wins over Burnley and West Brom before a 3-3 draw with Chelsea last weekend.
They will have to put in another impressive display to see off Carlo Ancelotti’s Toffees though after their superb start to the campaign.
Everton currently sit top of the Premier League table after four wins and a draw from their first five league games and look to have improved their chances this year with some impressive summer signings.
Ahead of tomorrow’s fixture, there has been some intriguing team news that could influence which way the result will go.
Ralph Hasenhuttl confirmed that Saints will be without Moussa Djenepo and Mohammed Salisu with more complex injury issues, whilst Theo Walcott will also be unavailable to play against his parent club.
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Stuart Armstrong is likely to return though after his spell of self-isolation ruled him out of last Saturday’s clash with Chelsea.
Everton are waiting on the fitness of star man James Rodriguez ahead of tomorrow but will definitely be without key duo Richarlison and Seamus Coleman through suspension and injury respectively.
For Saints, they are likely to field the same team that did last time out but will replace the ineligible Walcott with Armstrong. Armstrong’s lack of match fitness may see Nathan Tella given around 30 minutes to impress at the end of the game on Sunday though.
Everton will be keep to get James Rodriguez in their side if he is fit and Carlo Ancelotti has suggested that he will be able to play. Seamus Coleman will probably be replaced by Ben Godfrey at right-back and Bernard could fill in on the left-wing for Brazilian counterpart Richarlison.
Predicted Saints line-up (4-2-2-2)
Alex McCarthy, Kyle Walker-Peters, Jan Bednarek, Jannik Vestergaard, Ryan Bertrand, James Ward-Prowse, Oriol Romeu, Stuart Armstrong, Nathan Redmond, Che Adams, Danny Ings
Predicted Everton line-up (4-3-3)
Jordan Pickford, Ben Godfrey, Yerry Mina, Michael Keane, Lucas Digne, Abdoulaye Doucoure, Allan, Andre Gomes, James Rodriguez, Bernard, Dominic Calvert-Lewin