Club football is finally back, and Southampton start their 2026/27 campaign in the Carabao Cup on Saturday.
The Saints visit Colchester, led by former Portsmouth manager Danny Cowley, in a bid to make it past the first round.
With no verdict yet on whether Southampton head coach Tonda Eckert will survive an FA investigation following Spygate, the German must take every game as it comes.
After a solid pre-season where the Saints lost just one of five matches, Eckert has his chance to pick his first team of the campaign.
Goalkeeper and Defenders
Daniel Peretz
Following his signing for Southampton after a successful loan during the second half of last season, Peretz should start.
Tonda Eckert is a manager who approaches matches one-at-a-time, and will go strong against Colchester United.
The 25-year-old shot-stopper will be hoping for a solid first game ahead of next Saturday’s clash with Watford on opening day.
James Bree
Southampton have a range of options at right-back next season, but the first choice player in this department is clear to see.
James Bree recently signed a new contract, extending his stay at St Mary’s to until 2029.
A player clearly key for Saints boss Eckert, Bree will surely start at Colchester.
Taylor Harwood-Bellis
One of the first names on the team sheet, Taylor Harwood-Bellis is a player Southampton have to keep hold of this summer.
The Saints’ vice-captain is a rock at the back. There’s no second-guessing this selection.
Jack Stephens
Nathan Wood played next to Taylor Harwood-Bellis in Southampton’s final pre-season outing, but the partnership of the latter and Jack Stephens is too good to overlook.
Despite Colchester United being an opponent a weakened Saints eleven should be able to beat, Eckert will be gunning for an easy win as possible.
Ryan Manning
Southampton’s Irish left-back scored a whopping eight goals and assisted six in last season’s Championship, and the 30-year-old will be hoping for more of the same.
A quick start at the Colchester Community Stadium should set Manning up for another excellent campaign.
Midfielders
Flynn Downes
Downes had an excellent end to the 2025/26 season as Southampton soared to 21 league games undefeated.
The Englishman is surely set to start against Colchester, ahead of yet another important year of action.
Cam Bragg
With Shea Charles heading to Fulham and Caspar Jander missing the majority of pre-season, young Cam Bragg should get the nod in Colchester.
After a great first season for the senior side, it’s another chance for the 21-year-old to push on.
Attacking Midfielders
Kuryu Matsuki
The right-wing spot in the team is very much up for grabs, and after a better pre-season than Tom Fellows, Kuryu Matsuki could be in the frame to start.
The 22-year-old was the surprise player of last season, proving a good asset for the club.
Lewis Dobbin
New Saints signing Lewis Dobbin was the star of pre-season, scoring three goals and assisting another in his first five games.
With Finn Azaz unlikely to start after missing key preparation games, Dobbin should start in this one.
Even if Azaz was up to scratch, Dobbin’s form has put him in a great position to challenge.
Leo Scienza
Southampton fan favourite Leo Scienza had a solid pre-season and ended his preparations with a decisive goal.
The 27-year-old is the first name in the side, and will start when fit.
Strikers
Ben Brereton Diaz
It’s a difficult guess at who will lead the line in Southampton’s first game of the season.
Ben Brereton Diaz was given the chance down the middle against SC Preussen Munster, and Eckert seems to want to give him a chance in the side.
The Chilean has had a rough time of things up until now on the south coast; perhaps Eckert will help rejuvenate his stay.
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