Southampton vs Norwich City preview
Southampton will hope to end their worrying slump with a win when they entertain newcomers Norwich City at St Mary’s on Sunday.
The Saints are struggling to recapture the form they showed last season, with Ronald Koeman’s side still searching for their first victory of the new Premier League season. Their first European campaign in more than a decade ended abruptly after they were knocked out of the Europa League by FC Midtjylland last Thursday.
Southampton captain Jose Fonte admitted that the players have to accept responsibility for the poor display in the 1-0 defeat. The veteran defender has been imploring the fans to help the players get past this disappointment with their support on Sunday.
Koeman’s men will need any help they can get because they start the weekend in 18th place after collecting just two points from their first three games. The Saints have been unusually aggressive this season having racked up a league-high 10 yellow cards in those three games.
Norwich City will be looking for their second successive victory on the road after defeating Sunderland 1-3 at the Stadium of Light two weeks ago. The Canaries are yet to be defeated in an away league game this calendar year and Alex Neil is hoping to carry that run of form into this trip to the south coast.
The 33-year-old manager quickly won the respect of the Norwich dressing room after taking over due to his success in leading the Canaries back into the Premier League. Neil’s authority had hardly been tested until recent days when Lewis Grabban refused to be named as a substitute in the 2-1 Capital One Cup victory over Rotherham.
Grabban is reportedly pushing for a move to be reunited with Eddie Howe at Bournemouth after falling behind Cameron Jerome in the pecking order at Carrow Road. He bailed from the team camp on the eve of the cup game which forced Neil to suspend the player until the transfer window is closed.
Norwich have rejected three bids from Bournemouth for the striker and remain adamant that they will not do business until their valuation of the striker is met.
Southampton team news
- Victor Wanyama (stomach infection) and Sadio Mane (hip) missed the Europa League defeat but are both expected to recover in time.
- Ryan Bertrand (knee), Jordy Clasie (hamstring) and Fraser Forster (ACL knee) remain sidelined.
Norwich City team news
- Neil has no fresh injury concerns but Kyle Lafferty (knee), Youssouf Mulumbu (metatarsal fracture) and Martin Olsson (shoulder) remain out injured.
Southampton vs Norwich City prediction
Ronald Koeman has experimented with a wing-back system without much success in the last two games, so the Saints boss could revert to a 4-2-3-1 formation. That could see Cedric Soares return to the starting lineup as a right-back.
Southampton will need fresh legs in midfield after their Europa League exertions so if Mane is ready to start, he and Dusan Tadic will probably be the wide attacking midfielders. Wanyama could also return to partner Steven Davis as the central midfielders behind James Ward-Prowse.
Nathan Redmond has more assists and created more chances for the Canaries than any player, so the England Under-21 international is likely to keep his place as the right midfielder.
Norwich could retain the 4-4-1-1 formation they used against Stoke last time out with Wes Hoolahan working behind Jerome, while Jonny Howson operates from the left flank.
The Canaries have been playing well and were unlucky to be denied a win due to numerous saves by the brilliant Jack Butland in the Potters’ goal last weekend. They will attempt to patiently work the ball against the Saints, while also taking set-pieces seriously.
Southampton may start as favourites but Koeman’s charges cannot afford to underestimate their opponents.
Score prediction
Southampton 2-2 Norwich City.
