Southampton are set for their second friendly of pre-season as they face French side Bordeaux at 10am BST on Wednesday as part of their week-long training camp in Spain.
Russell Martin has had the majority of his Southampton players back for pre-season for three weeks now, with the workload intensifying with every session.
The Saint boss got his first look at his squad in action on Friday as they beat National League Eastleigh 7-1 in a pleasing start to their Premier League preparations.
Now, the Southampton players are set for what should be a tougher test against Bordeaux who finished mid-table in Ligue 2 last season but look set to be relegated to the third tier due to financial troubles.
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Southampton team news v Bordeaux
Martin has taken a big squad to Spain as Southampton face Bordeaux before a game against Montpellier on Saturday morning.
This includes a number of youth players mixed in with the first-team and one or two returning players whose future looks to lie elsewhere such as Paul Onuachu.
In terms of injuries, number one goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu remains sidelined with the Achilles injury that will see him miss a large chunk of the new season.
Juan Larios has not played a minute of competitive football since an injury sustained in October 2022 but is training with the group.
Ross Stewart was absent against Eastleigh after effectively missing the entirety of last season, first through the Achilles injury he signed with and then a hamstring issue picked up in the second cameo of his return in November.
Martin has been non-committal on the involvement of either Larios or Stewart but hinted that neither will be involved in the double-header of friendlies in Spain.
Captain Jack Stephens was not involved against Eastleigh for unknown reasons and his absence is set to continue on Wednesday.
Kyle Walker-Peters is being heavily linked with a move this summer as he has entered the final year of his contract and is with the squad in Spain, but Martin has also suggested the right-back will not play until the situation regarding his future becomes more clear due to risk of injury scuppering a potential deal.
Southampton predicted XI v Bordeaux
Given Bordeaux are the weaker of the two sides Southampton will face this week, it would not come as a surprise to see more involvement for a number of youth players.
This includes the likes of Sam Amo-Ameyaw and Tyler Dibling – both of whom impressed against Eastleigh – as well as a number of the other academy stars called up to the senior squad.
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Mateusz Lis could be handed another chance to prove himself after a successful season on loan at sister club Goztepe last season.
Southampton played with a back three in the first-half against Eastleigh before switching to a 4-3-3 for the second 45 minutes, suggesting that Martin could utilise both formations this season after utilising a 3-5-2 late last campaign.
19-year-old January arrival Joe O’Brien-Whitmarsh could see some action in midfield, whilst Sekou Mara may be handed a start against the club from whom Saints signed the 21-year-old two summers ago.
With that in mind, here is how we predict Southampton will line up for the 10am BST kick-off against Bordeaux on Wednesday.
Southampton (4-3-3): Lis; Sugawara, Harwood-Bellis, Edwards, Taylor; Charles, Aribo, O’Brien-Whitmarsh; Amo-Ameyaw, Armstrong, Edozie