Southampton will aim to further close in on promotion from the Championship on Tuesday night.
After coming from 2-0 down to beat Huddersfield Town 5-3 on Saturday afternoon, the Saints remain 2nd in the Championship table.
Next up as they look to keep themselves in an automatic promotion spot, is a trip to Ashton Gate to face Bristol City.
The Robins come into this one on a high following their 2-1 win at Middlesbrough over the weekend. Liam Manning’s side are only six points adrift of the play-off places. As a result, they are not out of the race for the top six just yet.
However, in the form they are currently in, Southampton should provide a big test of those credentials.
Latest Southampton team news
The Saints did pick up some injury concerns in their win over Huddersfield Town at the weekend. 25-year-old Flynn Downes was forced off in the first half of that game.
Manager Russell Martin has confirmed the on loan West Ham man will not play against Bristol City. However, he is hopeful he will not be out long-term.
Southampton will also have to put striker Che Adams through a late fitness test, after he came off at half time on Saturday.
After his run to Sunday’s AFCON final with Nigeria, Joe Aribo is expected to be part of the Saints’ squad for Friday’s clash with West Brom. This suggests the trip to Bristol City on Tuesday will come too soon for the Southampton midfielder.
How Russell Martin might line up vs Bristol City
It is unlikely Martin will have to make as many changes as he did at the weekend. That came with him reverting to a more first-choice line-up, after last week’s FA Cup win over Watford.
Gavin Bazunu has been an ever-present between the posts in the Championship for Southampton this season. That should continue here.
The back four that started against Huddersfield Town; Kyle Walker-Peters, Jan Bednarek, Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Ryan Manning, is Southampton’s strongest right now. They should therefore continue in those roles.
With Downes out, Joe Rothwell should come into the starting XI. The Bournemouth loanee came off the bench for Downes on Saturday. He then came up with two goals – including a stunning volley – to help the Saints get back into things.
That ought to be enough for him to partner Will Smallbone and Stuart Armstrong in midfield.
Upfront, if Adams does miss out, then Sekou Mara has three goals and one assist in his last two appearances. As a result, he has staked a strong claim to join Ryan Fraser and top scorer Adam Armstrong in that front three.
Here’s how we think Southampton will line-up against Bristol City on Tuesday night…
Bazunu (GK)
Manning
Bednarek
Harwood-Bellis
Walker-Peters
S. Armstrong
Rothwell
Smallbone
Fraser
Mara
A. Armstrong