da aviator aposta： Southampton host Hapoel Be’er Sheva in their final Group K match in the Europa League on Thursday knowing that only a 0-0 draw or a win will be enough to see them through to the knockout stages of the competition.
da dobrowin： Both Saints and the Israeli outfit sit on seven points and only one of them can advance to the last 32 with Sparta Prague already qualifying as group winners.
As it goes down to the head-to-head record between the two sides, the 0-0 draw that Claude Puel’s side picked up in Israel means they can’t afford a score draw at St Mary’s.
The south coast outfit have won each of their two home matches in Europe this term – including a 2-1 win against Inter Milan last time out – and they will need another big performance on Thursday.
Here is the Saints XI that will beat Hapoel and move through to next stage of the Europa League…
GK: Fraser Forster
The England international’s mistake gave Crystal Palace the lead in the Eagles’ 3-0 win against the Saints at the weekend, but while it was a poor error, Forster is still the club’s No.1 goalkeeper and he has saved them on a number of occasions before.
The tall stopper will be between the sticks tonight, and will hope to keep the clean sheet that will be enough to see the south coast side through to the knockout stages.
RB: Cedric Soares
While Cuco Martina has been preferred in the right-back spot in the Europa League this season, Puel may opt to play his first choice in the Premier League – Cedric Soares – instead in a game where the Saints ideally want a clean sheet.
While he has got forward well at times in Europe, Martina has often looked suspect defensively and it means the Curacao international could find himself on the substitutes’ bench for what is a crucial game for the club.
CB: Virgil van Dijk
With Saints skipper Jose Fonte yet to play a single minute of Europa League football this season, Van Dijk has captained the side in his absence, and he will be the first name on the teamsheet.
The Dutchman has been a colossus at the back in all competitions and he has also been one of their main goal threats in Europe, scoring the equaliser in the 2-1 win against Inter Milan at St Mary’s last time out.
CB: Maya Yoshida
While some Southampton supporters may want Fonte to start this important match, Yoshida would certainly count himself unfortunate if it is the decision that Puel decides to make.
The Japan international has been solid when he has played for the club this season – certainly more so than in previous years – and the Saints boss should feel as though he can rely on the centre-back once again.
LB: Sam McQueen
McQueen burst onto the scene in October following injuries to Ryan Bertrand and Matt Targett, and he hasn’t really looked back since.
The 21-year-old has put in a number of impressive performances and he was also the one player that stood out in the disappointing 1-0 defeat to Sparta Prague in their last Europa League encounter.
McQueen signed a new four-and-a-half year deal this week and he will look to celebrate that by helping the club through to the knockout stages in Europe.
DM: Oriol Romeu
Saints boss Claude Puel started Romeu on the bench in their last European match away at Sparta Prague, and the decision to leave out one of Southampton’s best players so far this term might be one that he still regrets.
The side lacked composure and that experience in front of the back four in the disappointing 1-0 defeat and Puel will certainly want that barrier back at the base of the diamond in a game where they will want a clean sheet.
CM: Steven Davis
James Ward-Prowse put in arguably his best performance in a Saints shirt in the 2-1 home win against Inter Milan last month, and he would certainly feel unfortunate if he didn’t get a starting berth against Hapoel.
However, the side missed a calm and experienced midfielder in the defeat to Prague time last out and Puel might decide it is time to blood Steven Davis for this match, with the Northern Irish star bringing composure in what could be a nervy night at St Mary’s.
CM: Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg
Hojbjerg was another player that put in an impressive display at home against Inter Milan, and his energy and all-action display – as well as his composure in possession – means he should get the nod in midfield again on Thursday night.
While he isn’t the finished article, the Denmark international has shown plenty of glimpses of why he played for Bayern Munich previously, and he will look to help the Saints reach the round of 32 when they face Hapoel.
AM: Sofiane Boufal
With Dusan Tadic still expected to be out because of a broken nose he suffered during the international break last month, Boufal will likely be given the chance to impress and be the side’s main source of creativity.
The Saints’ club-record signing has taken a while to get going after spending the majority of the season so far on the sidelines because of injury, but he has shown a few glimpses of what he is capable of in recent weeks and Puel will want to see that spark at St Mary’s.
ST: Shane Long
While 0-0 would be a result that would see Saints advance to the knockout stages of the Europa League, Puel would much rather win to make it a comfortable evening for everyone involved.
To do that they need goals and attackers that can press up the pitch and while he may not currently offer the former – Long has yet to get off the mark this season – he is a pain for defenders and on the counter attack and that could be key against a Hapoel side that know they need to score to keep their qualification hopes alive.
ST: Charlie Austin
The striker is Southampton’s top goalscorer in all competitions this season and with the likes of Nathan Redmond and Jay Rodriguez struggling for form and goals, the former QPR man simply has to start against Hapoel.
Given a clear-cut opportunity in the area or even a penalty, you can usually rely on Austin to put the ball in the back of the net and that could be crucial on what could be a tense night for Saints supporters on Thursday.