Southampton are heading into their fixture against Charlton Athletic on a roll and will be hoping to keep up their form against their former manager.
Five games unbeaten and looking to enter the top six of the Championship, Tonda Eckert’s side may be forced to make alterations to their usual league side, with injuries taking their toll.
Southampton predicted lineup: (4-2-3-1)
Goalkeepers and defenders
Goalkeeper - Daniel Peretz: Southampton’s shot-stopper has been a great addition since joining on loan from Bayern Munich in January, and will return to the side after a weekend off with cup rotation.
Right-back - James Bree: The English right-back is set to start against the side he spent the first half of the campaign on loan at. It could be written in the stars for Bree and Saints to get one over Nathan Jones, who claimed that the defender did not want to return to the club last month.
Centre-back - Taylor Harwood-Bellis: The centre back capped by England in 2024 will maintain his place as a staple in Southampton’s backline. An important player in ball progression from the back, Harwood-Bellis will be crucial as ever.
Centre-back - Jack Stephens: Despite injury concerns, Tonda Eckert has confirmed that the Saints skipper will be in the squad and is fine for the Charlton game. The centre back is forming a great partnership with Taylor Harwood-Bellis and is really stepping up as of late.
Left-back Ryan Manning: A certain downgrade on Welington, who is set to miss two weeks of action due to a muscle injury, Ryan Manning will return to the Saints starting eleven on Saturday.
Midfielders
Central midfielder - Flynn Downes: A stalwart in the Saints midfield, Downes has been revitalised since Tonda Eckert gave him a new role in the side. If fit, he’ll absolutely start and dominate the midfield at St Mary’s.
Central midfielder - Shea Charles: A poor performance at Leicester from Caspar Jander resulted in Charles taking the German’s place in the second half last time out in the league. The Northern Irish midfielder played a blinder, scoring the winner in a thrilling comeback; Shea has certainly done enough to warrant a start here.
Attacking midfielder - Finn Azaz: A player Tonda Eckert is clearly very keen on, Azaz has started most games under the German. It will be yet another chance for the Irishman to boost his impressive numbers in the league, in a game that his side are favourites to win.
Attackers
Left winger - Leo Scienza: Southampton’s best player and fan favourite will start every game he is fit and available for, though Sam Edozie looks a ready replacement for him if and when he’s needed.
Right winger - Tom Fellows: Despite a poor performance and gifting a goal away at Leicester, Tonda Eckert will back the English winger, despite pressure from Kuryu Matsuki. Fellows is an excellent player that the German head coach will do well to stick with.
Striker - Ross Stewart: New recruit Cyle Larin has surprised many with two goals in his first three Saints appearances, but Ross Stewart will continue as the number one striker until performances start to suggest a replacement is in order. Stewart is remaining fit and looking sharper game by game.