Predicted Southampton lineup as Southampton travel to Millwall

Southampton travel to Bermondsey in South East London on Saturday to tackle high-flying Millwall. Who will be in Tonda Eckert's starting eleven?
Derby County v Southampton - Sky Bet Championship
Derby County v Southampton - Sky Bet Championship | Cameron Smith/GettyImages

Tonda Eckert is unlikely to deviate too much for the side that has won four games on the bounce as he heads into his final match as interim manager. However, Saints could be without one of their star players for the difficult trip to Millwall.

However, the junger Anführer has thrown in a few curveballs in recent weeks with his selection. This week, we predict he could make one significant change in the centre of midfield.

Ross Stewart, Elias Jelert, Mads Roerslev and Shea Charles are all still injured. Oriol Romeu and Ryan Fraser are both available to join the squad. Flynn Downes is suspended and Léo Scienza is unwell so could be doubtful. Damion Downs is another player who won't feature meaning a call up for Nicholas Oyekunle is likely and that will excite Southampton fans.

Southampton predicted lineup: (3-4-3)


Goalkeeper and Defenders

Joshua Quarshie
Ipswich Town v Southampton - Sky Bet Championship | Julian Finney/GettyImages

Goalkeeper - Gavin Bazunu: Bazunu is integral to the way that Southampton are playing out from the back. Against Leicester he made a stunning save just after Saints had put themselves ahead. It's big moments like that which could 'save' his position as Southampton's number one keeper.

Centre-Back - Taylor Harwood-Bellis: Harwood-Bellis was monumental against Leicester City. Not only did he grab himself a brace of goals, but he also put in a brilliant all-round performance.

Centre-Back - Nathan Wood: Wood continues to grow in stature in the centre of the Southampton defence. The 20-year-old Serbian striker, Mihailo Ivanovic, is a threat in the air for Millwall but Wood should have more than enough to cope with that challenge.

Centre-Back - Joshua Quarshie: The young German had an impressive game against the Foxes and could keep his place on Saturday ahead of Jack Stephens. This is mostly due to the way that Millwall likes to overload in wide positions and Quarshie possesses the pace and acceleration to close those spaces down as he did against Fatawu on Tuesday night.


Midfielders

Ryan Manning
Charlton Athletic v Southampton - Sky Bet Championship | James Fearn/GettyImages

Right Midfield - Tom Fellows: Assuming that he is fit, Tom Fellows will continue in the hybrid wing-back role which he is making his own. Fellows was excellent against Leicester but his excertion may start to catch up with him soon.

Centre Midfield - Cameron Bragg: Bragg could return in place of Flynn Downes who is suspended. Bragg's brilliant performance at Charlton suggests that he is more than capable of challenging Downes for a place in the starting lineup anyway. The youngster's range of passing would give the Saints an advantage on the counter attack.

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 where his work was more defensive, particularly in the first half. The return of Bragg could suit Jander's attacking work.

Left Midfield - Ryan Manning: Although Manning, as predicted, was exposed against the pace of the Leicester attack, the presence of Joshua Quarshie gave the Irishman plenty of insurance. Manning's dead ball delivery is fast becoming a serious weapon for Southampton and his two assists for Taylor Harwood-Bellis were put on a plate.


Forwards

Adam Armstrong
Derby County v Southampton - Sky Bet Championship | Cameron Smith/GettyImages

Left Forward - Léo Scienza: (Doubtful) Alongside Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Leo found himself on the Sky Sports team of the week and deservedly so. His direct running and constant threat in transition kept Leicester on the back foot all night. Jay Robinson could be the player to come in if Scienza is too unwell to play.

Centre Forward - Adam Armstrong: Arguably Southampton's best player against Charlton, Armstrong is becoming a more complete centre-forward under Eckert. When he dropped deep to put Scienza clear in the build up for Saints' second goal, it was the touch of a class striker.

Right Forward - Finn Azaz: Four goals in three 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.

Loading recommendations... Please wait while we load personalized content recommendations