Southampton take on Leicester City in the FA Cup semi-final on Sunday evening, with Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side looking to reach the final of the famous competition for the first time since 2003.
Their FA Cup run has been a welcome distraction for the Saints this season after a dreadful run of form in the Premier League, one which has seen them slip down the table after a promising start to the 2020/21 campaign.
Their performances in the FA Cup so far, howeverm have generally been excellent, and they have reached the semi-final without conceding a goal, thanks to clean sheets in victories against Shrewsbury Town, Arsenal, Wolves and Bournemouth.
However, their last performance in the Premier League was one of their worst of the season, as they fell to a 3-0 defeat against relegation-threatened West Brom, and they will have to do much better on Sunday if they are to get past Brendan Rodgers’ Leicester side.
Will Southampton reach the FA Cup Final?
Yes
No
Here’s how we think Hasenhuttl will line his side up at Wembley, with two changes from the team that started last time out…
Despite a disappointing performance in the defeat at West Brom, it would be difficult for Hasenhuttl to drop Fraser Forster considering his clean sheet record in this competition thus far.
Although they were regularly exposed against the Baggies, the defence stays the same for this one, although that is perhaps more due to a lack of back-up options available to Hasenhuttl, with only Mohammed Salisu a viable replacement in the back four.
That is because Jack Stephens could be set to feature in midfield, as West Brom were able to completely dominate the midfield last time out, and the centre-back offers a much more physical option than Ibrahima Diallo, who drops to the bench.
Stephens impressed in that position against Manchester City despite the 5-2 defeat earlier in the season, so it might be worth playing him alongside James Ward-Prowse to give the Saints some additional defensive security.
Nathan Redmond and Stuart Armstrong start on the flanks, which allows Che Adams, who was signed for £15m in 2019, to start up front with Danny Ings in the hope that they can cause Leicester’s defence a lot of problems at Wembley.
And, in other news… Southampton were robbed in deal for “world-class” star, his value has risen 265% since leaving