PREVIEW: Southampton v Everton

Unavailable:  Southampton –     Forster, Gardos, Caulker, Bertrand, Clasie

Everton –        Baines, Hibbert, Gibson, Pienaar, McGeady & Mirallas (doubtful)

Roberto Martinez is a man who is rarely flustered however the John Stones transfer saga has clearly affected his habitual confident façade. His mood will not be improved by the prospect of a trip to the south coast for this Saturday’s early kick-off. St Mary’s is not a happy hunting ground for the Toffees, and Southampton will be keen to get their teeth into their opponents in search of their first Premier League win of the season.

Everton were not firing on all cylinders in their first match as Watford made an impressive start to their first campaign back in the big time. Their counter attacking play tested Martinez’s men while the Toffees could not translate their supremacy in possession into goals. They will be faced with a different challenge this Saturday – Saints enjoy holding onto the ball and will attempt to force the issue with Matt Targett and Cédric Soares bombing forward from the full-back positions. Southampton’s width is a threat that Martinez will want to thwart. In their last two visits to St Mary’s, Everton have conceded five goals – all of them have been from crosses or corners; and three have been scored by their own players. They have even more reason to be wary as Saints struck twice in the air last week. Graziano Pellè is the obvious aerial menace for Everton yet Jay Rodriguez and Shane Long also look dangerous coming in at the back post – particularly the latter who possesses incredible spring in his arsenal. Saints’ impressive wing play could well make the difference once more on Saturday.

Key Battles

Tadić v Galloway: After an injury-hit few months at the end of last season, Dušan Tadić has stated that he is back to his best and means to demonstrate that his initial scintillating form for the club was not a flash in the pan. Yet, he is currently playing in his weakest position down the right side of the attacking midfield trio due to Rodriguez’s return to action and Koeman deciding to slot Sadio Mané centrally in behind Pellè. While this undoubtedly amplifies Mané’s contribution to the team, Tadić is often nullified on the right and has less of an impression on games. While he has already notched up a goal and an assist this season, there have been large parts of games where he has not looked as threatening as he is when playing on the left or in the No. 10 position. This Saturday, he has a real chance to exhibit his attacking prowess as Leighton Baines will once again be unavailable through injury. While young Brendan Galloway has impressed in his first few games, if Tadić can get the better of him in the early part of the game, the Zimbabwe born left-back could be overawed, giving Saints’ number eleven the chance to test Everton’s aerial abilities.

Wanyama v Barkley: It is undoubted that Victor Wanyama has impressed in the early part of the season. He has greatly matured since his arrival on the south coast and the shield he offered to the centre-backs last season was particularly noticeable when the Kenyan was absent. This Saturday, he will most likely be man-marking the highly rated Ross Barkley. If Barkley manages to prevail against Wanyama then he may well be likely to supply chances for Romelu Lukaku or score a long-range goal as he did last weekend – a speciality of his. Yet, Wanyama will want to impress, particularly after the addition of fellow defensive midfielder Oriol Romeu this week.

Possible Line-ups

Southampton: Stekelenburg - Soares, Fonte (C), Yoshida, Targett - S. Davis, Wanyama - Tadić, Mané, Rodriguez - Pellè

Gazzaniga, Long, Romeu, Martina, Ward-Prowse, Juanmi, McCarthy

Everton: Howard - Coleman, Stones, Jagielka (C), Galloway - McCarthy, Barry - Naismith, Barkley, Cleverley - Lukaku

Robles, Oviedo, Koné, Mirallas, Bešić, Delofeu, Osman