Southampton travel to Norwich City later today and will be aiming to stretch their unbeaten Premier League run to five games.
Three important wins against Leeds, Watford and Aston Villa most recently have lifted the Saints away from the relegation zone and up to 13th, where they are currently just three points away from 6th-placed Manchester United.
Today’s game, on paper, provides the perfect opportunity for Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side to get more points on the board against the top-flight’s bottom side. However, a win against Brentford last time out and the appointment of Dean Smith as manager may have given Norwich a much-needed boost.
Ahead of the game, there has been some intriguing team news that may provide a hint as to how each team will line up at Carrow Road.
Will Southampton put four returning to fitness straight in the team?
Ralph Hasenhuttl confirmed in his pre-match press conference that each of James Ward-Prowse, Tino Livramento, Nathan Redmond and Armando Broja were available for selection after overcoming recent injury and illness issues.
Redmond tested positive for Covid-19 ahead of the win over Aston Villa last time out and is understood to have become a father for the first time this week. He had shown glimpses of recapturing some good form earlier this campaign by providing a creative spark in a few matches.
Livramento, Ward-Prowse and Broja were all unable to play for their respective national teams during the international break but all three look to have shaken off minor injuries to potential return to the starting line-up later today.
Given that Jack Stephens is the only senior player out through injury right now, it is very possible that Southampton will remain unchanged.
Predicted Southampton line-up
Alex McCarthy; Tino Livramento, Jan Bednarek, Mohammed Salisu, Kyle Walker-Peters; James Ward-Prowse, Oriol Romeu; Stuart Armstrong, Mohamed Elyounoussi; Che Adams, Adam Armstrong