Southampton travel to Sparta Prague on matchday five in the Europa League knowing that a win would put them on the brink of reaching the knockout stages of the competition.
Saints have taken seven points from their four matches in Europe this term including a famous 2-1 win against Inter Milan at St Mary’s last time out, as well as beating Thursday’s opponents 3-0 at home in their first match of the group stage.
The Czech side have proven they are a different proposition since then though, winning all three of their subsequent Group K fixtures, and they currently top the standings with nine points.
Claude Puel has regularly rotated his team between the Premier League and Europa League and the Frenchman is likely to do the same ahead of the trip to Prague.
Here is Football FanCast’s Southampton XI that should take all three points in the Czech capital…
GK: Fraser Forster
The England stopper has started all of Southampton’s Europa League matches to date, and after keeping two clean sheets out of four, the giant keeper will certainly be between the sticks again on Thursday night in what is a key game for the club and its supporters.
Forster was key to Saints clinging on for a 0-0 draw against Liverpool on Saturday, and Claude Puel will be hoping he can keep another shutout in Prague.
LB: Ryan Bertrand
While young Sam McQueen put in some impressive performances against Inter Milan in the previous two Europa League matches, Puel should opt to start Bertrand for the important trip to Sparta.
Saints have failed to score on the road in Europe this term and the former Chelsea man would offer an important attacking outlet on the left-hand side that McQueen perhaps didn’t at the San Siro last month. Matt Targett could also feature, but Bertrand’s experience far outweighs the youngster’s.
CB: Virgil van Dijk
With Saints captain Jose Fonte yet to play a single minute of Europa League football this season, van Dijk has skippered the team in his absence and has put in a number of impressive performances.
Despite missing a couple of clear-cut chances during the European campaign, the Dutchman has been a colossus at the back for Puel and even scored the all-important equaliser in the 2-1 win against Inter Milan at St Mary’s last month.
CB: Maya Yoshida
Like van Dijk, the Japan international has started all of Southampton’s European matches this term and he looks set to continue his partnership with the Dutchman in the Czech capital.
Yoshida was exceptional in the win against Inter Milan last time out and he seems to have come on leaps and bounds under the leadership of Puel, looking far more composed and reliable on the ball than he has in previous years.
RB: Cedric Soares
While he has looked decent going forward, Cuco Martina has been criticised by some Southampton supporters for his defensive performances. Now Cedric is back from injury, he should be starting against Sparta Prague if the club are going for the win.
The Euro 2016 winner showed in the goalless draw against Liverpool on Saturday how good his defending can be, while he is also showing improvement from an attacking sense as well – which could be crucial on Thursday.
DM: Oriol Romeu
Who else? The Spaniard has been one of Southampton’s best players this season and he must continue in his important role at the base of midfield for the crucial trip to Prague.
The former Chelsea man has helped protect his defence on a number of occasions this term and he will be key to the Saints putting in a solid performance against Sparta, providing them with a foundation for their attacking players to thrive.
CM: Steven Davis
The Northern Ireland international has been a bit-part player in this Europa League campaign but Puel might opt to the start the midfielder for what is set to be a hostile atmosphere at the Generali Arena.
The 31-year-old is experienced and would bring the composure and maturity to the team that can be needed on occasions like this one, and Saints supporters would be delighted to see their underrated hero named in the starting XI.
CM: Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg
With uncertainty over whether James Ward-Prowse will be risked after missing the goalless draw against Liverpool because of a muscle problem, Hojbjerg is almost a guaranteed starter on Thursday.
The Danish midfielder and Ward-Prowse showed brilliant energy in the 2-1 win against Inter Milan and Puel will ask the former to repeat that performance against Sparta, using his passing ability and positional awareness to be solid defensively, as well as offering options going forward.
AM: Sofiane Boufal
With Dusan Tadic missing out on a place in the squad for the trip to Sparta Prague because of the broken nose he suffered against Wales playing for Serbia during the international break, Boufal is set to be placed at the top of the diamond in the Czech capital.
The Morocco international played in that role against Liverpool on Saturday and Puel will be hoping to see more in an attacking sense from Saints’ record signing, who spent the majority of the game defending against Jurgen Klopp’s men.
ST: Shane Long
The Republic of Ireland striker injured his hamstring in the 1-0 defeat away against Inter Milan at the San Siro, but he is fully fit now and could be given his first start since returning in Prague.
With Sparta’s form improving over the last couple of months, counter-attacking could become an important tool for Puel’s side on Thursday. Long’s pace and movement means he should be given the nod for a spot in the starting XI.
ST: Nathan Redmond
Despite the fact that Charlie Austin is the club’s top goalscorer, as mentioned previously, pace and counter-attacking should be the game-plan against an ever-improving Sparta Prague side. If Puel thinks the same, then Redmond could get the nod over his strike partner.
Like Long, the England Under-21 international has bags of pace – with a sprinkling of trickery on top – and will cause the opposition defence problems as Saints look to take all three points.