Sports Mole takes an in-depth look at how Southampton could line up for Saturday’s Premier League clash with Leicester City.
Southampton head coach Russell Martin will be forced into a change up front for Saturday’s Premier League clash with Leicester City at St Mary’s.
The Saints lost Ross Stewart to a muscular problem in the first half of their 3-1 defeat to Arsenal two weekends ago, and while his concern is not a severe one, he will not be available this weekend.
Martin is also without Gavin Bazunu (Achilles) and the suspended Jack Stephens, but Kamaldeen Sulemana and Will Smallbone are available once again after recovering from ankle and thigh issues respectively.
Sulemana would be an option to replace Stewart up front, but a straight shootout between Paul Onuachu and Cameron Archer – scorer of the opener at the Emirates – is more realistic, and the latter’s contribution against Arsenal may tip the scales in his favour.
Archer will be spearheading an attack also comprising the talented Tyler Dibling, while Mateus Fernandes is primed to occupy the most advanced midfield position, as Joe Aribo and Flynn Downes start slightly deeper.
Right-back Yukinari Sugawara picked up a late knock against Arsenal, but the Japan international joined up with his country this month and is presumably OK to start out wide, with Ryan Manning potentially holding his position on the opposite side.
After keeping Arsenal at bay for nearly 60 minutes last weekend, the central barrier of Jan Bednarek, Kyle Walker-Peters and Taylor Harwood-Bellis should remain untouched in front of Aaron Ramsdale.
Southampton possible starting lineup:
Ramsdale; Bednarek, Harwood-Bellis, Walker-Peters; Sugawara, Aribo, Fernandes, Downes, Manning; Dibling, Archer
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