Southampton will be looking to put distance between themselves and the relegation spots in the Premier League when they take on Brighton and Hove Albion at St Mary’s on Sunday afternoon.
The Austrian manager has welcomed back the likes of Kyle Walker-Peters and Ibrahima Diallo from injury recently, and after they were rested in midweek, it seems likely that they will come back into the starting lineup against Graham Potter’s side.
Hasenhuttl rotated his side for the trip to Manchester City in midweek and whilst his side lost 5-2, they played in a positive way and looked good going forwards in the absence of Danny Ings.
Brighton look in serious danger of relegation from the top-flight this season, so defeat against the Seagulls would potentially drag the Saints back into a relegation battle this season.
Here’s how Football FanCast expects Hasenhuttl to line his side up on Sunday, with five changes from the team that started in midweek…
After shipping another five goals in midweek, Fraser Forster should come back in for Alex McCarthy, with the 32-year-old boasting an impressive record of just one goal conceded in six appearances so far this season.
Will Southampton win today?
Yes
No
There’s one change in defence, as Walker-Peters returns at right-back, with Ryan Bertrand switching back to left-back, meaning Mohammed Salisu drops to the bench.
There are two changes in midfield, as Takumi Minamino returns in place of Moussa Djenepo on the left-hand side, after the Malian came off with a knock at the Etihad, whilst Diallo comes back in for Jack Stephens, who deputised in a midfield role in midweek.
Finally, Nathan Tella deserves to start after his impressive performance in the 2-0 win against Sheffield United, which led Owen Hargraves to label him a “handful“, so he comes in for Nathan Redmond to partner Che Adams in attack against Brighton.
And, in other news… Forget Forster: Southampton can sign serious McCarthy upgrade in £8.6m beast