The Stats Zone
February 24 2023, 13:57 · Alex Lawes

What will Southampton's starting line-up be against Leeds?

What will Southampton's starting line-up be against Leeds?

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Ruben Selles took charge of his first game as caretaker of Southampton last weekend with the bottom-of-the-table club winning away at Chelsea by a goal to nil. Selles ditched Nathan Jones’ back-three and the Saints pulled off a surprise result at Stamford Bridge. As a result, Selles begins this match on the back of having it confirmed that he will be in charge until the end of the season.

It is an absolutely massive game for Saints, against relegation rivals Leeds United, but they will be expected to maintain a fairly attacking 4-4-2 system against a leaky Leeds defence.

Surprisingly, Jan Bednarek remained in defence, ahead of Duje Caleta-Car and Mohammed Salisu. The Polish international should partner the very impressive Armel Bella-Kotchap with Romain Perraud at left-back. Kyle Walker-Peters is now fully fit so could come in for Ainsley Maitland-Niles at right-back, who started last weekend.

Romeo Lavia and James Ward-Prowse is an impressive midfield duo for a team seemingly bound for the Championship and they should retain their places ahead of the promising Carlos Alcaraz and Ibrahima Diallo.

Stuart Armstrong and Mohamed Elyounoussi started on the wings last weekend. If Selles opts for a more cautious approach then Kamaldeen Sulemana could play out wide with one of Alcaraz or Diallo coming in to form a midfield three and one of Armstrong or Elyounoussi dropping to the bench.

Sulemana started the match alongside Paul Onuachu last weekend. The two joined on transfer deadline day for a combined fee of around £40 million so it is expected that, almost no matter what and in a variety of positions, they will start.

PREDICTED XI (4-4-2): Bazunu; Maitland-Niles, Bednarek, Bella-Kotchap, Perraud; S. Armstrong, Ward-Prowse, Lavia, Elyounoussi; Sulemana, Onuachu

UNAVAILABLE: Livramento (Injured), Larios (Fitness), Orsic (Concussion), Adams (Injured)

QUESTIONABLE: Salisu (Injured)