Southampton are set for their first friendly of pre-season this week as they face National League side Eastleigh on Friday night.
Russell Martin has already watched a number of Southampton‘s young talents kick-off their summer of friendlies as the Saints boss was present to watch an under-21 side face AFC Totton on Saturday.
Prior to that game, Martin held an intimate Q&A with fans where he revealed that Cam Bragg would spend the 2024/25 season on loan as well as providing an update on the futures of Kyle Walker-Peters and Flynn Downes.
Having returned for pre-season at the start of July, Southampton’s first-team are now gearing up for their first test of the summer and how Martin sets his side up could be a clue as to his plan for the season.
Southampton friendly should reveal Russell Martin chosen formation for Premier League
Fifth tier side Eastleigh should provide Southampton with a decent start to their preparation for the Premier League as players look to get up to speed.
Whilst it is often difficult to read too much into the first friendly of pre-season, the game against Eastleigh could provide real insight as to what system Martin is planing to use in the top flight.
The Saints boss almost exclusively favoured a 4-3-3 formation for the bulk of last season’s promotion-winning campaign but sprung a surprise as he switched to a back three for the last game of the regular season against Leeds United.
Throughout the three play-off games, Southampton utilised both systems but favoured a back three out of possession.
With a new-found defensive solidity as a result of this switch combined with the improved quality of opposition in the top flight, many are expecting Martin to continue to favour this new shape and the chosen formation against Eastleigh could hint at what the 38-year-old has planned.
Southampton still without international players for Eastleigh friendly
Whilst the bulk of Southampton’s players have returned for pre-season, some of those who featured for their country this summer are yet to return.
Jan Bednarek represented Poland at Euro 2024 and has subsequently been given an extended break, whilst Will Smallbone and Shea Charles played in end of season friendlies for Ireland and Northern Ireland respectively.
Whilst that trio are unlikely to be involved at Eastleigh’s Silverlake Stadium on Friday evening, Southampton fans could catch a glimpse of their six summer signings.
One of those is Taylor Harwood-Bellis, who Southampton fans know well from his loan last season, but it could be the fixture that sees Adam Lallana make his first Saints appearance in ten years following his return.
Latest signing Yukinari Sugawara will be keen to get going at his new club and could be in line for his first appearance.