Southampton have a relegation six-pointer on Saturday as Russell Martin’s side welcome Leicester City to St Mary’s.
Southampton‘s only point this season came against fellow newly-promoted side Ipswich Town and Russell Martin knows he must now go one better against Leicester.
The Foxes got their own first league win of the season against Bournemouth last match, whilst Southampton lost 3-1 to Arsenal.
Martin could give the Southampton board a big decision to make if Southampton lose at home to Leicester and the Saints boss has some big decisions to make…
Russell Martin must change Southampton formation
Martin was relatively settled on a 4-3-3 formation as Southampton were promoted last season but has tried a number of different shapes so far this campaign.
Having started the season playing a back three, Martin switched to a four before playing a back five against Arsenal.
Southampton need to try and impose themselves at home against Leicester and Martin should therefore revert to a more attacking 4-3-3 against Steve Cooper’s side.
Who plays up front for Southampton against Leicester City?
Martin has seen his Southampton team score just four Premier League goals so far this season, with the lack of firepower a real concern.
Ross Stewart came in for his first Saints start since signing last summer against Arsenal but was forced off in the first-half as his injury woes continue.
That saw Cameron Archer come off the bench to score his first league goal since signing in the summer, before Paul Onuachu was handed a surprise opportunity later in the game.
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When Onuachu came on Archer moved to the left wing where he looked bright and this has left Martin with a decision to make.
The Southampton manager could really look to take the game to Leicester by playing Onuachu and Archer in the same side which could be an exciting proposition.
Southampton need to settle on a left-back
One of the problem positions for Martin this season has been left-back.
The emergence of Yukinari Sugawara at right-back has seen right-footed Kyle Walker-Peters play on the left the most, but Charlie Taylor and Ryan Manning have also both played on the left this season.
Manning started on the left of the back five against Arsenal in what was the first time he had even made a league matchday squad this season, whilst Taylor represents a steady natural left-back.
Martin prefers the balance of a left-footer in the role, but it is difficult to leave Walker-Peters out given he is one of the club’s best players.