Southampton XI that should start against Stoke, Bragg keeps place, Azaz central | OneFootball

Jander is still not fit to start, so Cameron Bragg keeps his place for Stoke. Even if Jander is passed fit next week, last Sunday suggested little would change.

Downes is the constant in midfield, trusted to sit and marshal the centre. Stoke rebuilt around Ethan Galbraith and Svante Ingelsson and are still gelling. Robins told BBC Radio Stoke his forwards needed competition, then spent around £10m on George Hirst, who the club are still trying to register.

Finn Azaz is fit, and Southampton looked short of ideas without him. Lewis Dobbin lasted 57 minutes at Watford, had one shot off target and beat his man once in six attempts. He will have his season, but not this one.

Start Azaz as the ten, restore Leo Scienza to the left, and give Kuryu Matsuki the right. That trio would seek the ball between the lines. Tom Fellows also has a strong case, and Eckert left options unused last Sunday.

Up top, Larin. Divin Mubama scored five in the Championship on loan at Stoke last season and will fancy it, though Larin scored at Watford and should keep his place.

So the eleven is Peretz, Bree, Manning, Harwood-Bellis, Stephens, with Downes and Bragg ahead, Matsuki right, Scienza left, Azaz behind Larin.

Stoke arrive at St Mary's still being assembled, so Southampton should pick a side to punish that, not survive it.

Source: Sainstmarching.com

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