Russell Martin and his Southampton side are preparing for the short trip along the south coast to face Bournemouth on Monday night.
Southampton will be keen to get one over on their neighbours, but more so for the club to get their first league win of the season.
Russell Martin will have been enthused by a strong display at home against Ipswich Town last weekend, but the 95th-minute equaliser the Tractor Boys scored was a real sickener.
That 1-1 draw did at least get Southampton off the mark for the new campaign and they will be looking to take all three points from the Vitality Stadium on Monday night.
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Southampton team and injury news ahead of Bournemouth clash
In terms of injuries, Martin continues to be without long-term absentee Gavin Bazunu who will return from his Achilles injury in 2025.
Martin also confirmed in his pre-Bournemouth press conference that Kamaldeen Sulemana remains sidelined from the injury he sustained against Oxford United in pre-season and won’t return to full training for another couple of weeks.
Martin also provided an update on midfielder Will Smallbone who has not featured since the last international break.
The Saints boss confirmed Smallbone would against miss out against Bournemouth and said the Ireland international may not return for at least another two weeks.
Ross Stewart has been building his fitness with a series of substitute appearances over the past few weeks and is likely to again be in the squad for Bournemouth.
Captain Jack Stephens remains suspended after receiving a red card against Manchester United for a challenge on Alejandro Garnacho but will be available again after Monday’s match.
Southampton predicted XI against Bournemouth
Martin has changed formation from the 3-5-2 with which he started the season to a 4-3-3 and Southampton have looked much more comfortable as a result.
Aaron Ramsdale will keep his place in goal after a series of excellent stops against Ipswich last weekend and it is expected to be the same back four ahead of him too.
This means Charlie Taylor will keep his place at left-back after being surprisingly chosen over Kyle Walker-Peters last time out.
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Martin praised Taylor’s ‘versatility’ and dubbed the experienced left-back ‘gifted’ upon his arrival in the summer and he has earned the right to reprise his role against Bournemouth.
Southampton’s midfield looked the most balanced it has all season against Ipswich too and Martin should again start with the trio of Adam Lallana, Flynn Downes and Mateus Fernandes for this one.
In fact, it is anticipated to be the same front three as well, meaning Martin names an unchanged XI from Ipswich.
The only forward spot up for debate is that of striker Cameron Archer who missed a number of chances against Ipswich but he has looked the brightest of Southampton’s centre-forwards so far and Martin may be minded to keep his faith in the youngster.
With that in mind, here is the lineup we predict Southampton will start with against Bournemouth.
Southampton (4-3-3): Ramsdale; Sugawara, Harwood-Bellis, Bednarek, Taylor; Downes, Lallana, Fernandes; Dibling, Archer, Fraser