Coming off two losses in all competitions after an eight-match unbeaten streak, Southampton FC will look to get back on track February 7 against Queens Park Rangers .
Preferred Formation: 4-2-1-3/4-2-2-2
Depending on whether or not Koeman decides to put three up top or two, these should be the formations the Saints go with. They have had recent success with the former, and so that will be the lineup below.
GK: Fraser Forster
For a club known around the league for their defense, allowing four goals in the past two matches is a hard pill to swallow. Regardless, Forster is a quality keeper who will be looking to add to his Premier-League leading 10 clean sheets.
RB: Nathaniel Clyne
A mainstay in the Saints back four, there is no real reason to suggest that Clyne will not suit up, but he will have his hands full with Eduardo Vargas and Charlie Austin.
RCB: Jose Fonte
The captain of the Saints will need to be a rock in the center defense if the Saints want to get their back four back on track.
LCB: Maya Yoshida
Yoshida should get the start due to the continued absence of Toby Alderweireld who is still a few weeks away from action. Matt Targett, a youth academy product who has appeared in EPL matches this season, could also get this spot.
LB: Ryan Bertrand
Now that Bertrand is a permanent Saint, Southampton fans hope that this left back slot will be Bertrand’s for years to come. Signing this deal should give him renewed energy and focus.
RM: Morgan Schneiderlin/Victor Wanyama
As both of these players are returning from injury, it would be difficult to assume that Koeman would start either of these players. Regardless, having one of them in this slot will certainly improve midfield play, especially against a physical QPR club.
LM: Steven Davis
A stronghold for the Saints all season, Davis’ presence in the midfield should help the Saints maintain possession and control the tempo of the match.
CAM: James Ward-Prowse
The Saints youngster, who just signed a new deal with the club through 2020, has played well enough to earn this starting position, but his presence in the starting lineup for this match will depend on how much Koeman wants to use Schneiderlin or Wanyama.
RW: Dusan Tadic
Pushing Tadic up to the top has worked out for Koeman in recent matches, as Tadic basically has an obligation to bring his playmaking abilities to the front half of the pitch. Regardless, Tadic will have an impact on this match whether he’s playing up top or as he is playing as a midfielder.
ST: Graziano Pelle
Pelle will have to be a force up front if the Saints want to maintain their European dream, and this could be his way back in. 11 goals through 24 matches (in all competitions) mean that Saints fans know what to expect, but it will be up to Pelle to deliver.
LW: Eljero Elia
If Pelle is off his game scoring-wise, than Elia will be expected to be the next man up. Quite possibly the steal of the transfer deadline, having Elia as a complement to Pelle filled the void of Sadio Mane (who was playing in the African Cup of Nations). Having both of these goal scorers is a great problem for Koeman to have, but since Elia is still on a hot streak, he should get the start.
(4-2-1-3)
Via- Lineup Builder
