Predicted Southampton lineup as Southampton host Birmingham City

Southampton welcome Chris Davies' Birmingham City to St Mary's on Saturday Who will be in Tonda Eckert's starting eleven?
Southampton v Swansea City - Sky Bet Championship
Southampton v Swansea City - Sky Bet Championship | Michael Steele/GettyImages

Tonda Eckert has some big decisions to make as he prepares to name his team to face Birmingham City at home on Saturday.

Having no reason to expect the interim boss to deviate from the structure that has served him so well until now, Eckert will likely start with a familiar 3-4-3 formation.

Ross Stewart, Elias Jelert, Mads Roerslev, and Damion Downs are all out injured. Shea Charles is another who is not quite ready to return. Sam Edozie has completed his first big session and could feature in the squad on Saturday.

Veteran midfielder, Oriol Romeu had 45 minutes with the Under-21s in midweek so could make another appearance from the bench.

Southampton predicted lineup: (3-4-3)


Nathan Wood
Millwall v Southampton - Sky Bet Championship | Richard Pelham/GettyImages

Goalkeeper and Defenders

Goalkeeper - Gavin Bazunu: Bazunu is integral to the way that Southampton are playing out from the back. Against Millwall he made a good save in the first half. Bazunu couldn't really do anything about the first and second goals but he was at fault for the third, allowing a soft shot through his legs.

Centre-Back - Taylor Harwood-Bellis: Harwood-Bellis was not at the top of his game at the Den but good performances in recent weeks will keep him in the team.

Centre-Back - Nathan Wood: Wood will be fortunate to keep his place on Saturday. His performances have dropped off and Millwall just let him have the ball at the back in possession. He may be on thin ice.

Centre-Back - Jack Stephens: This is a position we have got wrong for three consecutive weeks so take this prediction with a pinch of salt. Didn't do much wrong against Millwall so doesn't deserve to lose out to Joshua Quarshie.


Midfielders

Flynn Downes
Southampton v Leicester City - Sky Bet Championship | Warren Little/GettyImages

Right Midfield - Tom Fellows: Tom Fellows will continue in the hybrid wing-back role which he is making his own. Fellows was excellent against Leicester but his exertion caught up with him against Millwall.

Centre Midfield - Flynn Downes: Back from suspension, Downes should come straight back into the side ahead of Bragg and Romeu, who is not quite ready to start yet.

Centre Midfield - Caspar Jander: Jander followed up his goal against Sheffield Wednesday with another at Charlton. The 22-year-old German was a little quieter against Leicester and looked even leggier against Millwall. Should be back to his best for the weekend.

Left Midfield - Ryan Manning: Manning is proving an important player if only for his dead ball accuracy. After putting two on a plate for Harwood-Bellis against Leicester, he was less effective at the Den. Like Fellows, playing three games in a week caught up with him against Millwall.


Forwards

Adam Armstrong
Millwall v Southampton - Sky Bet Championship | Richard Pelham/GettyImages

Left Forward - Léo Scienza: Eckert will be delighted to have his main man available for selection again. His direct running and constant threat in transition kept Leicester on the back foot all night and he will be keen to follow that up in front of the home fans on Saturday.

Centre Forward - Adam Armstrong: Arguably Southampton's best player against Charlton, Armstrong is becoming a more complete centre-forward under Eckert. Struggled to get into the game against Millwall due to the stranglehold that they had on the midfield. Converted the penalty with aplomb to put Saints ahead.

Right Forward - Finn Azaz: Five goals in four matches, is the return that Southampton might have expected when they paid an initial fee of £12 million for the Republic of Ireland international in the summer. The Irishman is growing in confidence and looks composed in front of goal. Struggled to impose himself at Millwall due to the lack of good possession that Saints had and ultimately the lack of service.

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