Burnley head coach Scott Parker is willing to take a big risk for the FA Cup meeting with Southampton.
Among all of the current Premier League teams, Southampton arguably have one of the easiest FA Cup tests. While clubs like Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspurs have drawn top flight oppositions, the Saints have a matchup against Burnley.
Though Southampton are Premier League's weakest and Burnley are among the Championship's finest, this game is an even fixture at best. In reality, the Saints must be pondering about the thought of easing the workload off their core players.
Hence, it wouldn't be a surprise if we get to witness a few academy players warming up during the match. Well, whether Southampton decide this way or not, their opponents are insistent on implementing this idea on tomorrow's occasion.
Southampton's opposition manager planning to make a bold call in the FA Cup
Recently, Burnley's head coach Scott Parker opened up on his playing eleven preferences. As quoted by the Daily Echo, Parker said: "It gives us an opportunity as well to maybe give other players an opportunity. But of course, there's a marker there and a tough test ahead of us."
Call it trust or overconfidence, Parker is willing to assess his squad's capabilities in a knockout match. Well, one might argue that Parker wants to prepare his players for the future to play in the Premier League.
Still, every Saint remembers what his Southampton counterpart opted to do in the previous round. Deemed likely to field a rotated lineup, Ivan Juric nearly named a full strength squad against Swansea.
That was a wasted opportunity to rest the regular Premier League starters. Now, Juric and Southampton must be regretting as that could end up being the last chance to experiment with fringe players, at least in this campaign.
In case you are wondering why, both Harwood-Bellis and Stephens have a race against time to return in good shape before the kickoff. As it stands, it seems to be a losing battle.
Thus, let's wait to find out whom Juric entrusts to replace the defensive duo.