Southampton: Team news and predicted line-up for Wolves league clash

Southampton will be hoping to make it two wins over their opponents in three days when they host Wolves on Sunday afternoon.

Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side claimed an important 2-0 win over Nuno Espirito Santo’s men in the FA Cup on Thursday and this could provide a huge boost for the second half of the season.

Both teams have been struggling in terms of Premier League form in recent times and sit just two points apart in mid-table, and Saints have also been aided by the return of key players from injury recently too.

Back in November, Saints and Wolves were looking up the table and played out a highly competitive 1-1 draw at Molineux – Theo Walcott netting his first goal back at his former club to open the scoring.

Southampton starting to look strong again

Ahead of Sunday’s game, little has been released in terms of team news but potential decisions from Hasenhuttl may be simple to predict.

All of his players that played a part in the FA Cup win over Wolves looked to come through it with no fresh injury worries.

Jannik Vestergaard stayed on the bench as he is eased back into action gradually and took his place as a substitute alongside Jack Stephens, Nathan Tella and Che Adams. Adams and Tella were introduced as late substitutes and may be in line for more minutes this weekend.

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Ralph Hasenhuttl has spoken about his goalkeeping situation after Fraser Forster’s strong performance in the cup and has suggested that Alex McCarthy will remain as his number one despite a costly mistake at Newcastle last Saturday.

Takumi Minamino was cup-tied in midweek and could come back into the starting line-up after scoring on his Saints debut at St James’ Park.

Ibrahima Diallo may be nearing a return to training after missing the last three games and Alex Jankewitz will return from suspension after this weekend. However, Will Smallbone, Theo Walcott and Michael Obafemi are all long-term absentees.

Wolves are likely to have the same squad available to face Saints for a second time in quick succession. Willy Boly and Daniel Podence could return to action next week, but Fernando Marcal and Raul Jimenez remain out.

Rested players, such as Conor Coady, Pedro Neto and Willian Jose may be in line for a start this time around after missing out in the cup.

Predicted Saints line-up

Alex McCarthy; Kyle Walker-Peters, Jan Bednarek, Jannik Vestergaard, Ryan Bertrand; James Ward-Prowse, Oriol Romeu; Stuart Armstrong, Takumi Minamino; Danny Ings, Nathan Redmond

McCarthy, Vestergaard and Minamino return to the starting line-up as this will give Hasenhuttl his strongest team at the moment.

Nathan Redmond could keep his place because of his impact as a striker in a fluid attacking setup on Thursday, although Che Adams will be ready to start if the decision is made to change things up again.