Saints take on Manchester United at St Mary’s in their toughest challenge of the season to date.
Jose Mourinho’s team have had a blistering start to the season and currently sit joint-top of the league with their neighbours, Manchester City.
Mauricio Pellegrino will be hoping that Saints can build upon their victory at Crystal Palace last week, where Steve Davis’ early strike proved the difference. While the focus this year has mainly been on Southampton’s goalscoring difficulties, it is their defence that will be really tested this weekend.
United come into this weekend undefeated and on a high after a thumping 4-0 win at Everton last weekend and another 4-1 victory again Burton Albion in the Carabao Cup in midweek.
Therefore, Saints will have their work cut out for them and will be relying on strong performances from Oriol Romeu and Mario Lemina who will be looking to protect the defensive line, which could contain one Virgil Van Dijk from the start on Saturday.
Here we have a look at some of the key battles that Saints will be hoping to win against the Red Devils, which could swing the balance of the game.
VAN DIJK VS LUKAKU
Saturday could see the return of Virgil Van Dijk to the starting line-up, for the first time since his Summer transfer saga. The Dutchman’s skill and stature will certainly be required and tested when he comes up against the in-form Romelu Lukaku.
Lukaku has had an incredible start to the season and has already bagged himself 5 Premier League goals, making the most of his impressive speed and physicality.
If any defender in the league can stop Lukaku, it is certainly Virgil Van Dijk, and it will be fascinating to see who comes out on top.
ROMEU VS MKHITARYAN
Oriol Romeu has continued where he left off; putting in impressive displays in Southampton’s first few games of the season. His composure and defensive abilities will be called upon again on Saturday, when he comes up against Henrikh Mkhitaryan.
The play-maker has found his form this season and has been United’s creative force from Midfield, already contributing 5 assists. Romeu will be looking to restrict Mkhitaryan’s influence on Saturday to disrupt the supply into their attacking trio.
CEDRIC VS RASHFORD
Marcus Rashford seems to develop with every game he plays and put in an impressive performance against Burton Albion on Wednesday. This weekend, however, he will be confronted with Portuguese International, Cedric Soares, who will be looking to control the English Youngster.
Cedric will be well aware of the threat that Rashford poses to Saints, however, Rashford should also be aware that Cedric will be wanting to make marauding runs into the United half and will need to be switched of defensively.
LEMINA VS MATIC
Mario Lemina put in the performance of the season for Saints last week against Crystal Palace. He dictated the tempo of the game with his control and passing and looking an assured member of the midfield.
The former Juventus player will be looking to capitalise on his early good form on Saturday and ensure that Nemanja Matic has a difficult day in the centre of the pitch.
Lemina will hope to act as the heartbeat of the Saints team and will be crucial to any quick counter attacks that Pellegrino’s men may hope to spring.
GABBIADINI VS BAILLY
Manolo Gabbiadini has had a mixed start to the season, putting in some good performances but only scoring a single goal so far.
The Italian will come up against the strong and pacy Eric Bailly for United who will be looking to add to Southampton’s attacking worries.
Gabbiadini is known for wanting to make incisive runs in behind the defence and it will be up to Saint’s attacking midfield to ensure that he receives the service he needs to cause Bailly problems.