Southampton had a really poor 2020-21 Premier League campaign, finishing 15th on the table and losing 19 out of their 38 games.
Ralph Hasenhuttl has still somehow managed to hold onto his job but the manager is under immense pressure to pull the club up the ladder this time around and his work will start this weekend when the Saints face Everton.
Everton were turning out to be a pretty decent side last season under Carlo Ancelotti but things have crumbled once again now that he has left. Playing at home, the Toffees will definitely have an upper hand but since they are under the guidance of a new manager, so it is very difficult to predict their style of play.
Southampton team news vs Everton:
Jannik Vestergaard is on an extended break and there are also rumours that he could be moving out before deadline day.
This means Mohammed Salisu(a player who has featured heavily in pre-season) is likely to play in central defence alongside Bednerak.
After Ryan Bertrand’s departure, Romain Perraud is the obvious choice for the left-back’s role while Walker-Peters plays on the other side of defence.
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James Ward-Prowse has recovered from his knee injury and has also returned to training but we doubt if he will be in the starting line-up this weekend at Goodison Park. Ibrahima Diallo and Oriol Romeu are likely going to pair up in central midfield.
Southampton have sold Danny Ings to Aston Villa, a player who was one of their standouts last campaign. They have brought in Adam Armstrong as a replacement but he is yet to settle in so Nathan Tella should feature upfront alongside Che Adams, if Hasenhuttl opts for a 4-4-2.
Southampton predicted XI vs Everton:
Predicted XI: McCarthy; Bednarek, Salisu, Walker-Peters, Perraud; Diallo, Romeu, Djenepo, Armstrong; Tella, Che Adams.
Data courtesy Whoscored.
