Southampton host Coventry City at St Mary’s tonight, and Russell Martin should unleash one player who can make a huge difference in the match.
Southampton’s feint hopes of achieving automatic promotion were dead and buried on Saturday following a goalless draw against Blackburn Rovers.
Despite boasting two games in hand, a 12-point gap between them and second-place Ipswich Town has given them a mountain too steep to climb with just seven matches left.
Russell Martin‘s men instead have to settle for the lottery of the playoffs and can use their final matches to gain momentum heading into a period of knockout football.
A match against Coventry City isn’t an ideal start to what they hope will be a winning run. Mark Robin’s side have won four of their last five, including a victory over Leeds United last time out.
The Sky Blues are baring down on the play-offs, largely thanks to the goal-scoring form of Haji Wright, who Southampton must be wary of tonight.
However, despite recording just two shots on target against Blackburn, the Saints carry a threat of their own in attack with one key player returning to the fold tonight.
A key player returns for Southampton v Coventry tonight
Martin issued an injury update on midfielder Stuart Armstrong yesterday.
Armstrong missed their encounter against Blackburn after suffering concussion in the pulsating 3-2 defeat against Ipswich Two on Easter Monday.
With the 32-year-old now back in contention to start, as revealed by Martin in his pre-match press conference, Southampton’s chances of winning have been boosted tenfold.
The Saints lacked a creative spark on Saturday, mustering up a lowly xG of 1.06 as the visitors failed to score against a side with one of the worst defences in the Championship.
Only Rotherham have shipped more goals than Blackburn (66) this term, with Martin putting their lack of clinical edge down to poor decision-making in the final third.
The return of Armstrong to the starting XI can improve their fortunes in that regard.
Why Stuart Armstrong is so crucial to Southampton
Armstong, who they signed from Celtic for £7 million in 2018, is so important to how Southampton play for several reasons.
Not only is he relentless at carrying the ball long distances, but his eye for a pass and decision-making in the final third is second to none.
Outside of Adam Armstrong and Che Adams, the 32-year-old has the most goal contributions in Martin’s squad, accumulating five goals and seven assists in all competitions.
His importance is also noted by the Saints losing four of their eight matches in the Championship when their Duracell bunny hasn’t started while claiming victory on 20 occasions when he has.
As highlighted by their lack of chance creation in the draw to Blackburn, Southampton missed their “superb” midfielder at the weekend with Martin previously describing him as a “great athlete” and “smooth footballer”.
This claim is furthered by the Scotsman ranking in the top 11% of Championship midfielders for progressive carries, the top 6% for touches (att pen) and the top 2% for progressive passes.
With Coventry not afraid to come out and attack, the Saints should be afforded more space to work and that could suit Armstrong’s attributes down to the ground.