Southampton will hope to progress to the quarter finals of the FA Cup on Saturday as they prepare for their second visit to West Brom in the space of two weeks.
The Saints faced the Baggies at the start of the month in the Premier League and came away with a crucial 3-2 win. Neither side have kicked on since, and the cup game comes as something of a distraction from the teams’ respective struggles in the league.
Mauricio Pellegrino is calm ahead of the game and it seems it will take something drastic for him to be relieved of his duties. Alan Pardew is also in the firing line from West Brom fans, with the team rooted to the bottom of the Premier League.
The game at the Hawthorns presents a chance for both managers to rotate their sides, allowing some of the fringe players to shine as we prepare to enter a vital final stage of the season.
Pellegrino’s starting line-ups are always unpredictable, but here’s how we expect him to set his Saints side out at West Brom on Saturday.
Alex McCarthy
McCarthy is in a good run of form and it’d make no sense to rotate him with Fraser Forster.
Cedric Soares
Cedric is likely to keep his place. However, the game at West Brom could present a good opportunity for Jeremy Pied to stake his claim as he fights for his future at the club.
Jack Stephens
Stephens has been in good form in front of goal but remains unconvincing defensively. He’s set to start, though, and deservedly continue his prolonged period in the starting line-up.
Maya Yoshida
After a spell out of the team, it would come as no surprise to see Maya Yoshida recalled in place of Wesley Hoedt.
Ryan Bertrand
Bertrand is a mainstay for Pellegrino and is likely to get the nod at left-back.
Mario Lemina
Lemina is Saints’ best player and if he’s fit, he starts.
Oriol Romeu
Romeu is a favourable option for Pellegrino and I expect him to get the nod over Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg here.
James Ward-Prowse
Ward-Prowse is in good form and deserves to play on the right.
Dusan Tadic
Tadic is another player who is favoured by Pellegrino and he’s likely to retain his place in the hole.
Nathan Redmond
Redmond has been frozen out lately but I’ve got a feeling he’ll be recalled for this one. It’s a good chance for him to play without pressure in his bid to return to the first-team picture.
Guido Carrillo
It’s the ideal chance for Manolo Gabbiadini to start but I can see Pellegrino persisting with Carrillo. He’s yet to score for Saints and it’d be no surprise to see him continue to lead the line.