Fernandes to start: Predicted Southampton lineup vs Ipswich - Championship

Southampton travel to Ipswich in the Championship on Sunday hoping to build on a dramatic late victory against Wrexham. Here's how they could lineup.
Southampton FC v Fulham FC - Premier League
Southampton FC v Fulham FC - Premier League | Dan Istitene/GettyImages

Southampton travel to promotion rivals Ipswich Town in Sunday's early kick-off in the Championship. Manager Will Still has some difficult decisions to make.

However, with continuity and momentum being uppermost in the manager's mind, he could name an unchanged side at Ipswich. With one exception: Mateus (Matty) Fernandes.

Much will depend on the availability of Fernandes, given the transfer speculation around him at the moment. If he is available, Still may find a way to shoehorn him into the side In favour of Jay Robinson and shuffle Ryan Fraser across to the left.

But second guessing a Will Still lineup and formation is proving almost as challenging as flipping pancakes in a Pompey fan's caravan. Anyway, here goes nothing...

Saints - Formation - 3-4-2-1

GK - Gavin Bazunu kept the Saints in last weekends curtain raiser against Wrexham with a spectacular fingertip save from Ryan Hardie. He's established himself as Still's number one and he will get the nod over Alex McCarthy.

CB - Ronnie Edwards could continue ahead of Taylor Harwood-Bellis, who is working his way back to full fitness. Edwards has started the season impressively despite making a mistake against Wrexham.

CB - Jack Stephens is a player who Will Still trusts to lead his team. Stephen repayed his manager's faith by scoring the dramatic winner last weekend and making a last ditch challenge to deny a certain Wrexham goal. Rested at Northampton.

Jack Stephens
Eastleigh v Southampton - Pre-Season Friendly | Robin Jones/GettyImages

CB - Joshia Quarshie - The young German has been Jack Stephen's preferred centre-back partner throughout pre-season. Quarshie's physical presence and pace is a great asset and he will probably start against Ipswich.

RM - Yukinari Sugawara should continue as right wing-back providing width in attack and some defensive cover. Sugawara dovetailed well with Ryan Fraser going forward against Wrexham. 

LM - Welington - Despite his heroics against Wrexham, Liam Manning may miss out with Welington being preferred. The Brazilian is improving rapidly under Still and has the pace required in defensive situations.

Flynn Downes is an absolute must in a game of this magnitude

CM - Shea Charles - The first name on the teamsheet these days, Charles has continued in the rich vein of form he was in at Sheffield Wednesday last season. 

Flynn Downes
Northampton Town v Southampton - Carabao Cup | Pete Norton/GettyImages

CM - Flynn Downes - Downes is an aggressive ball-winning type who is an absolute must in a game of this magnitude. 

AMR - Mateus Fernandes - Saints fans would be delighted to see Fernandes in the side and pushed further forward. Much will depend on his availability amid mounting transfer speculation.

AML - Ryan Fraser has been a revelation this season. He is the perfect illustration of the hard working and aggressive player that the manager covets. He could shift to the left to make room for Fernandes on the right.

CF - Adam Armstrong - Unlucky not to notch his first of the season against Wrexham, Armstrong will be desparate to get off the mark at Portman Road. Damion Downs did nothing to threaten Armstrong's place in the starting lineup with a poor performance at Northampton on Tuesday.


READ MORE SOUTHAMPTON NEWS HERE: