Winless in their last five fixtures across all competitions, Tottenham Hotspur will be hoping to find some much-needed form when they visit a struggling Southampton side at St. Mary’s Stadium.
The Saints, who currently sit at the bottom of the table, are desperate to avoid their fifth consecutive league defeat. With both teams battling injuries and suspensions, this clash could be pivotal for both managers.
Spurs, under increasing pressure to perform, are facing a defensive crisis, while Southampton’s lack of goals has been a primary concern for them this season. The predicted lineups for this Premier League encounter reflect the ongoing issues within both squads.
Southampton Team News
Russell Martin’s Southampton will have to make several changes due to injuries and suspensions. Jack Stephens remains suspended, and Aaron Ramsdale (finger), Will Smallbone (thigh), and Gavin Bazunu (Achilles) are unavailable.
There is some positive news, as Adam Lallana, Paul Onuachu, and Jan Bednarek are back in contention.
Given these returns, Bednarek is expected to slot into the backline alongside Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Nathan Wood. Kyle Walker-Peters and Ryan Manning will continue as full-backs. Flynn Downes and Carlos Alcaraz will likely anchor the midfield, with Samuel Edozie and Adam Armstrong supporting Onuachu up front.
Southampton’s struggles in front of goal are evident, but the return of Onuachu may offer a more physical presence that could trouble Spurs' depleted defence.
Southampton Predicted Lineup
Lumley; Walker-Peters, Harwood-Bellis, Wood, Bednarek, Manning; Downes, Fernandes; Dibling; Armstrong, Onuachu
Here is how the side last lined up
Tottenham Team News
Ange Postecoglou’s options are limited, particularly in midfield and defence. Yves Bissouma is suspended after accumulating yellow cards, and Rodrigo Bentancur serves the final game of his five-match ban.
The backline is severely weakened by the absences of Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven (both thigh injuries), while Guglielmo Vicario (ankle) and Ben Davies (hamstring) are also sidelined.
Fraser Forster will continue in goal, with Djed Spence, Ashley Phillips, Radu Dragusin, and Destiny Udogie likely forming the makeshift defence. In midfield, Dejan Kulusevski and Pape Matar Sarr are expected to be joined by Lucas Bergvall. Up front, Son Heung-min and Brennan Johnson will flank Dominic Solanke.
Postecoglou will be hoping that Solanke can offer more consistency in attack and that Spurs' frontline can exploit Southampton’s fragile defence.
Tottenham Predicted Lineup
Forster; Spence, Gray, Dragusin, Udogie; Kulusevski, Sarr, Bergvall; Johnson, Solanke, Son
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