Southampton will be looking for a significant reaction to Friday night’s horror show when they travel to Manchester City in the Carabao Cup.
This is quite possibly the worst scenario for Saints as they look to bounce back from their record-breaking 9-0 home defeat to Leicester City.
After Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side visit free-scoring Manchester City in the cup, they then visit free-scoring Manchester City in the league – a nightmare situation for the Austrian head coach.
This could prove to be a massive week in the club’s season with Tuesday’s performance set to give us some indications as to the player’s character and to see if their confidence looks shot.
It will be intriguing to see how Hasnehuttl approaches this game; I don’t think anyone would argue with him if he decides to make 11 changes but he could stand by his team in a show of unity.
He also doesn’t have a massive squad to choose from so it really is anyone’s guess how this side will line-up in Manchester.
We’ve given it our best attempt, here’s our predicted Southampton XI.
GK: Alex McCarthy
Even without Friday’s mauling, McCarthy is the cup goalkeeper so would probably have played anyway. Angus Gunn conceding nine haven’t helped to quieten the claims that McCarthy should replace Gunn long-term and not just for these games.
RWB: Kayne Ramsay
It may be worth taking Yan Valery out of the firing line after Friday’s miserable performance. With Cedric’s injury, Ramsay appears to be the only other option in this position. He played in the FA Cup tie against Derby earlier this year but hasn’t been seen in the first-team since.
CB: Jan Bednarek
Bednarek is the only player I’ve picked to keep his place. This is mainly due to a lack of centre-backs in the squad so it would be difficult to find a complete new defence.
CB: Jack Stephens
Stephens came on at half-time against Leicester with the game already dead, the first-half defensive showing may give the 25-year old a reprieve in the side.
CB: Kevin Danso
Danso is yet to feature in his natural position for Saints and this seems like the perfect opportunity to give him that chance.
LWB: Jake Vokins
Hasenhuttl spoke very highly of Vokins in pre-season so it is somewhat surprising that we haven’t seen him in the first-team yet. With Bertrand suspended, Vokins is the only other recognised left-back.
CM: Stuart Armstrong
The Scottish midfielder has had to remain patient this season but he is another player that could get his chance to shine due to Friday’s mauling.
CM: Callum Slattery
Like Ramsay, Slattery last featured in the FA Cup game against Derby. None of the usual midfield three has impressed in recent weeks so we predict him to come in and start.
RW: Sofiane Boufal
Boufal was surprisingly left out of the last three matches and we predict him to come back in on Tuesday. Manchester City have a slight problem with defensive injuries and suspensions so Boufal may be relishing the chance to run at their make-shift back-line.
LW: Shane Long
This one was a toss up between Long and Michael Obafemi. Given the lack of experience in the rest of our predicted XI and the pressure that will come with this match, we’ve opted for the former. Long will be another whose pace will hopefully worry the City backline.
ST: Che Adams
The form of Danny Ings has meant that Adams has had to sit on the sidelines in recent weeks but he is another fringe player who may get his chance after Friday. It won’t be easy but if he does start, he needs to take his chance if he wants to make his way back in the side on a full-time basis.