Leo Scienza stays: Southampton's dream XI to face Watford on Championship opening day | OneFootball

The dream starting XI Tonda Eckert will want to play in their opener against Watford on 16 August

Southampton will be aiming to fight for automatic promotion to the Premier League next season.

The Saints are in their second campaign at this level after missing out on promotion in 2025/26 due to being expelled from the play-offs.

The Hampshire outfit were found guilty of breaching the EFL's rules against spying on opposition teams' training sessions, which ended their hopes of earning a place in the top flight.

But Southampton will be keen to remain in the mix at the top of the table, with their sights likely set on a top two finish, and their summer transfer business could prove key to fighting against the likes of West Ham, Middlesbrough, Wolves and Burnley.

Tonda Eckert’s side will get their Championship campaign underway on 16 August with a trip to face Watford at Vicarage Road, where they will be looking to get off to the best possible start.

Here we look at the dream starting XI that the Saints could utilise for their opening day clash against Alessio Dionisi’s team…

GK: Daniel Peretz

Action Images

Daniel Peretz joined Southampton last January on loan from Bayern Munich, and he established himself as first-choice goalkeeper.

With the shot stopper now at St. Mary’s on a permanent basis, he is likely to start the trip to Watford in just a few weeks.

LB: Ryan Manning

Action Images

Ryan Manning started 35 of his 43 appearances in the regular season last year, contributing an impressive eight goals and six assists, with his set piece delivery particularly standing out.

The full-back is likely to keep his place as a key starter in the team in 2026/27.

CB: Nathan Wood

Action Images

Nathan Wood was an important part of the side under Eckert last season, cementing a partnership with Taylor Harwood-Bellis that was crucial to the team’s rise to a fourth-place finish.

The centre-back is likely to keep his place in the starting lineup by the time the Saints travel to Vicarage Road.

CB: Taylor Harwood-Bellis

Action Images

Harwood-Bellis has been linked with a move away from St. Mary’s this summer, but Southampton will be hoping to hold onto the centre-back.

Nobody played more minutes for the Hampshire outfit in the Championship last year, emphasising just how important he is to Eckert’s side.

RB: Mads Roerslev

Action Images

Mads Roerslev hasn’t featured for Southampton since the 3-1 win over Sheffield Wednesday last November due to an Achilles injury.

But the right-back is now back as part of pre-season, and the visit to Watford could be his opportunity to kickstart his Southampton career after signing last summer.

CM: Caspar Jander

Action Images

Caspar Jander is another player that has attracted a lot of attention due to his performances for Southampton.

However, the Saints will be keen to see him stay with the club, and Eckert will be hoping to include him in the starting lineup against Watford on 16 August.

CM: Shea Charles

Action Images

Shea Charles has been the subject of a number of offers from Premier League sides this summer, and it remains to be seen whether he will stay.

But, as things stand, he is still a Southampton player and Eckert will be hoping that remains the case when his team travels to face Watford.

LW: Leo Scienza

Action Images

Leo Scienza won the Southampton player of the year award for last season, but that has only fuelled speculation regarding a possible exit from St. Mary’s.

In a dream world, he will still be with the club when they kick-off their campaign in just a few weeks.

AM: Finn Azaz

Action Images

Finn Azaz signed for Southampton last summer, and he was a core part of the squad under Eckert, as he featured in 41 of their 46 league games, contributing 10 goals and seven assists.

While his position in the team could be under threat with Lewis Dobbin arriving, the German coach is likely to try and fit both into the team next season.

RW: Tom Fellows

Action Images

Tom Fellows also joined the Saints in the 2025 summer transfer window, and he was a regular presence in the side under Eckert last season, contributing six assists from 37 league appearances.