Unavailable:
Southampton – Clasie
Crystal Palace –
Cabaye, Ledley, Zaha, Chamakh, Appiah
So, it comes down to this, a shoot out for
Europa League football on the final day of the season where Southampton could
finish anywhere from 5th to 8th. Victory ensures 7th
– but it could be oh so much more. Or maybe that is too greedy at the moment. 7th
obviously represents a stab in the dark, as ironically, six days after this
game, United will face Sunday’s opponents Crystal Palace at Wembley. Louis van
Gaal’s men have not been the most reliable of units this season, and I’m sure
that many Saints fans will feel odd supporting Wayne Rooney and his band of
highly underachieving brothers.
If Saints could find a way into the Europa
League football, it would be colossal for the club, as it acts as a real
vehicle for progression, and the opportunity to showcase the players’ ability
on a larger stage. Sure, the financial figures coming through it would be
nothing to write home about compared to being part of the Premier League that
will be dripping with cash, but it offers the chance to compete against some of
Saints’ supposed equals abroad, as well as some pretty large fish.
HOWEVER, there is the rather important matter
of actually obtaining those three points. Some seem to think that it will be a
mere formality after slicing through City and subduing the supposedly sumptuous
Spurs. They are incorrect – this has the potential to be a prime case of “after
the Lord Mayor’s show”. Palace have the tools to rumble anyone within their
squad – cup final or no cup final next week. Then, there is the small issue of
Alan Pardew. How he would enjoy three victories over the club that gave him the
sack after a 4-0 win at the sun-drenched Memorial Stadium in August 2010.
I am not suggesting that Pardew would have
any malice for Saints, nor for Newcastle for that matter, as he will repeatedly
claim before any such game like a pull-string toy. Yet, imagine Pardew tomorrow
if he could secure a victory ahead of the FA Cup final when he gets home. He
will probably crack open a beer and smile broadly whilst considering frustrating
days under Nicola Cortese and Mike Ashley. There is also the small matter of
the Palace boss and his squad catching a steam train home with fans post-match.
Nobody wants to be sat opposite a discontented fan in an old style compartment
after a tonking. Palace will be spirited.
It is also an opportunity for those such as
Dwight Gayle to impress. The striker has rarely enjoyed a long run in the side,
but he toppled Stoke last weekend, and will want to stake his claim for a
starting position at Wembley. If not, then a chance to act as the hero from the
bench. Also, I cannot see the Palace regulars leaping out of challenges like it’s
a testimonial. Sod’s law dictates that they will then probably get injured
walking their dog this week.
Saints should be equipped with the right mind-set.
Unlike last season, they have come from the chasing pack, and are just behind
United and West Ham who have been touted as Champions League potentials throughout
the season. Ronald Koeman has been brave in recent weeks, adopting a 4-3-3 that
features Jordy Clasie as one of the holding midfielders instead of using both
Victor Wanyama and Oriol Romeu who focus on the defensive rough and tumble in
the midfield. His reward could come on Sunday, and his side will be biting at
the heels of United and West Ham.
Key
Battles
Ward-Prowse
v Mutch: On
Friday, James Ward-Prowse signed a new long-term deal with the club, and it is
in games such as these where he must step up now, and dictate play – particularly
in the position which he seems to prefer – anchoring the midfield alongside the
protecting figure of Victor Wanyama. In that quarter-back role, he can pick the
ball up from deep, and spray passes to engineer openings. He has to imprint
himself on proceedings and act as a creative figure at the back of the engine
room. He will most likely face Jordon Mutch whose career has stalled slightly
at Palace. He is an energetic box-to-box player, and Ward-Prowse will have to match
him as well.
Fonte v
Wickham: José
Fonte has once again been Captain Fantastic at the back for Saints this
campaign. As excellent as Virgil van Dijk has been, Fonte has marshalled him as
well as Ryan Bertrand at centre-back on occasion, and has led the team from a
sticky first half of the season to a resounding second half success. He will
relish this physical battle with Connor Wickham who is a complete No 9. Should
the Palace frontman have a season free from injury, he could creep onto Roy
Hodgson’s radar. Wickham is not just a battering ram though – he leads the line
with creativity and ingenuity, and Fonte will have to be prepared.
Possible
Line-ups
Southampton:
Forster
– Martina, Fonte (C), Van Dijk, Bertrand – Wanyama, Ward-Prowse, S. Davis – Mané,
Tadić – Long
Stekelenburg, Soares, Yoshida, Rodriguez, Romeu, Pellè, Austin
Crystal Palace: Hennessey – Ward, Dann, Delaney (C), Souaré – Puncheon, McArthur,
Mutch, Bolasie – Gayle, Wickham
No comments:
Post a Comment