It has been somewhat of an underwhelming start to the Premier League season so far for the Southampton fans here in the Football Transfer Tavern…
A loss against Manchester United and a 1-1 draw with Watford was not the dream start that Claude Puel had in mind for the 2016/17 season – but there is still time for Southampton to turn it around.
A home game against Sunderland awaits, with David Moyes’ team looking even more unimpressive in their opening fixtures – falling to two defeats in two.
This Saturday represents a real opportunity for Southampton to turn their fortunes around; and Claude Puel must pick the right side to keep the points at St Mary’s…
With that, our landlord thinks that this 4-4-2 Southampton team will definitely beat Sunderland this weekend…
GK – Fraser Forster
The ever reliable English shot stopper is a fantasy football favourite here in the Football Transfer Tavern, and he is a guaranteed starter on Saturday.
You can always back Forster to pull a big performance out of the bag.
RB – Cedric Soares
The Portuguese 2016 hero is a sure fire starter this weekend, and has really made the right hand side of the Southampton defence his own since the departure of Nathaniel Clyne.
He’s only going to get better this year.
CB – Jose Fonte
Will he stay or will he go?
He should still be a Southampton player this weekend, but whether he stays until the 1st of September is a different matter entirely.
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CB – Virgil Van Dijk
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Van Dijk has gone from strength to strength recently and he looks set to continue his fine form this season.
Expect a big performance this weekend.
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Hopefully making his return from injury this weekend, Ryan Bertrand could find himself thrust right back into the Southampton first team.
Very impressive since he joined the Saints, there are few better left back’s currently in the Premier League.
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Oriol Romeu is always solid and reliable in the middle of the park; and that is exactly what you want from your defensive midfielder.
He’ll help shield the Southampton defence from the ever threatening Sunderland strike force.
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The talented young Danish midfielder has settled into Premier League life well, and you would expect that to continue this weekend.
Able to control the game from start to finish, you would expect everything to go through him this weekend.
The Southampton faithful here in the Football Transfer Tavern love him already.
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Fresh off the back of a new deal, Dusan Tadic will no doubt be ready for a big game against Sunderland.
Like Hojberg, he will no doubt dictate the game from the middle of the park.
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CAM – Steven Davis
This underrated midfield gem has been getting a lot of credit here in the Football Transfer Tavern over the last few months, and his recognition is definitely deserved.
Expect him to shoot balls forward into Redmond and Long whilst also looking to get forward himself.
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ST – Nathan Redmond
When played up front this season, Nathan Redmond has been impressive. But from the wing – not so much.
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Our landlord is backing him for a hat-trick this weekend.
ST – Shane Long
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His goalscoring record speaks for itself, and his pace and technical ability is always a threat.
It hasn’t quite happened for him yet this season; but that could change this weekend.
