Southampton FC predicted starting team vs QPR in Championship

It looked as though he would have gone a week without losing any of his players ahead of a match but the futures of Che Adams and Nathan Tella remain up in the air.

His starting XI for the visit of QPR, who are tipped to be fighting a relegation battle this season, is far from an obvious selection.

Here is the group we think Martin could go with as Saints look to continue their unbeaten run in the Championship to matchday four…

Goalkeeper

Gavin Bazunu is still searching for his first clean sheet of the season and will hope it can come against Gareth Ainsworth’s QPR following a strong showing at Plymouth Argyle.

Defenders

Kyle Walker-Peters and Ryan Manning are likely to again retain their full-back starting positions while Jan Bednarek and captain Jack Stephens are a settled defensive partnership.

Saints have been linked to defensive reinforcements such as Swansea City’s Nathan Wood in the transfer window, while Armel Bella-Kotchap continues his recovery.

Midfielders

Shea Charles was selected as man of the match at Argyle, although A Armstrong was Martin’s, and should keep his place in the starting XI.

Flynn Downes is not likely to be ready and Will Smallbone is out until next weekend meaning we could see Stuart Armstrong and Charly Alcaraz complete the midfield.

Attackers

Nathan Tella scored his first of the season (after having one robbed by the back of Arma’s head during the season opener) but is the subject of noisy transfer bids.   

Che Adams is also the subject of an ongoing transfer saga but could keep his place, and see Adam Armstrong and Samuel Edozie deployed either side of him.

Full predicted team:

Bazunu; Walker-Peters, Bednarek, Stephens, Manning; Charles, S Armstrong, Alcaraz; A Armstrong, Edozie, Adams.