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Southampton: Team news and predicted line-up ahead of Everton clash

By Marc Walker

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 06: Oriol Romeu of Southampton during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Southampton at St. James Park on February 06, 2021 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Chloe Knott - Danehouse/Getty Images)
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 06: Oriol Romeu of Southampton during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Southampton at St. James Park on February 06, 2021 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Chloe Knott - Danehouse/Getty Images) /
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Southampton head to Goodison Park on Monday evening and will be looking to get more points on the board to ease their current woes.

Seven losses from eight games and one point from a possible 24 have seen a steady slide down the table for Ralph Hasenhuttl and his men in recent times. They are in the worst form of any team in the Premier League at the moment and will be looking over their shoulders towards the bottom three.

Everton have made progress under Carlo Ancelotti this season but remain a side showing some inconsistency at times. The Toffees will be looking for a win to keep them well in the hunt for the top four, whilst Saints will be hoping for an off day from their opponents.

Ahead of the game, there has been some huge team news that could affect how things go during the match.

Raphinha of Leeds United is tackled by Oriol Romeu of Southampton (Photo by Mike Egerton – Pool/Getty Images)
Raphinha of Leeds United is tackled by Oriol Romeu of Southampton (Photo by Mike Egerton – Pool/Getty Images) /

Ralph Hasenhuttl confirmed in his pre-match press conference that midfielder Oriol Romeu has a fractured ankle and will miss the rest of the 2020/21 season – a big blow to an already slim Saints squad.

The Spaniard rolled his ankle against Leeds on Tuesday and looked in pain as he tried to carry on but ended up being substituted. It has now been decided that he will require surgery to fix the problem.

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Takumi Minamino will also be missing for Monday after picking up a hamstring injury in the same game. The Japan international will also be a big absence after applying his creative qualities well to Saints’ team since his January arrival.

No further progress has been reported on Ibrahima Diallo, Theo Walcott and Kyle Walker-Peters, whilst Michael Obafemi and Will Smallbone are recovering from long-term injuries.

Everton are boosted by the return of Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Allan to full fitness as they prepare to face Saints. Both are key players for Carlo Ancelotti, with Calvert-Lewin scoring 13 league goals this season and Allan proving to be a very solid addition to defensive-midfield.

However, defender Yerry Mina and Jean-Philippe Gbamin are not available.

Predicted Saints line-up

Fraser Forster; Jan Bednarek, Jannik Vestergaard, Mohammed Salisu, Ryan Bertrand; James Ward-Prowse, Alex Jankewitz; Moussa Djenepo, Stuart Armstrong; Nathan Redmond, Danny Ings

Ralph Hasenhuttl could turn to Fraser Forster to bring a different type of energy and a freshness behind the defence. Romeu’s absence will see Alex Jankewitz come back in to start with no other options available.

Danny Ings and Moussa Djenepo will be needed to add some creativity in attack for this game after being rested for much of Tuesday.

Angus Gunn loan deal extended until next season. dark. Next

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