Saints take on Bundesliga side FC Augsburg tonight, in the first of 2 home pre season friendlies this week, Arron Sanders takes an in depth look at the game and the side that Saints will put out.
FC Augsburg who are managed by Manuel Baum finished 13th in Bundesliga last season, after the German masterminded a four-game unbeaten streak from their last four fixtures to pull his side away from the relegation zone.
Augsburg finished fifth in the 2014/15 Bundesliga, which was their best ever finish. That earned them a placed in the UEFA Europa League where they reached the knockout stages before going out to Liverpool.
They are however without last seasons top goalscorer however with Halil Altintop, having seen him departing for Slavia Prague during the summer.
In what will be a first chance for many fans to see the current Saints side perform, under our new manager Mauricio Pellegrino and a chance for the new manager to impress fans at St Mary's.
Pellegrino has so far shown to have set out a very attacking style of play and formations tried out, and has also seen the return of the much admired high pressing game.
Tonight will be a good test for Saints and with the premier league due to start a week ahead of the Bundesliga season, I would think a home win should be on the cards although that is not the be all and end all during pre season of course.
I expect a fairly strong side to be put out by the manager at this stage of the pre season and here is how I expect us to line up tonight:
Gk Fraser Forster
With Alex McCarthy seemingly out with another injury I fully expect Forster to start between the sticks tonight, and am hoping to see him keep a clean sheet.
RB Jeremy Pied
With Cedric only returning from holiday on Monday I would expect the Frenchman to keep his place on the back a good performance against Saint Etienne on saturday.
CB Maya Yoshida
With Virgil still Sulking and Yoshida set to start the premier league season along side Jack Stephens I would expect the Japanese International to gain further minutes under his belt tonight.
CB Jack Stephens
As per above the England U21 International should retain his place in the side.
LB Ryan Bertrand
This was a tough call to make surprisingly but on the back of Matt Targett's performance last Saturday Pellegrino will be looking for more from Bertrand tonight and will get the chance to show his class I feel.
CM
Oriol Romeu
Who else do we expect but last seasons player of season to boss the midfield for us.
CM
Pierre Emile Hoijberg
I expect the Dane to get the nod against the side he spent time on loan with previously.
CAM
James Ward-Prowse
Prowsey was given a role further forward when he came of the bench on Saturday, and his good performance should get him a chance to start tonight.
RW
Nathan Redmond
Redmond is need of more minutes and his pace is a weapon going forward for us and he should start tonight.
LW
Dusan Tadic
Tadic needs to up his game before the season starts or risk being benched by Pellegrino but he'll get another chance to impress this evening.
ST
Charlie Austin
Austin has seemingly been Pellegrino's first choice so far in pre season and I don't expect that to change tonight.
What do you make of my predict XI Saints fans? Who would you like to see start tonight against FC Augsburg?
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