Southampton predicted team vs Stoke City 2024/25 Carabao Cup

The St Mary's side are winless in nine matches and bottom of the Premier League table but have a chance to reach the last eight of the competition.

Stoke City are struggling in the Championship but Martin insists he will not make 11 changes as he has done in the previous rounds of the cup.

We reckon Martin might look to rest some legs in defence and midfield as a higher priority - here is how Saints could line up... 

Goalkeeper 

Alex McCarthy was the hero last time out at Everton in this competition and Martin will be keen to reward him with another 90 cup minutes.

Alex McCarthy denied Ashley Young in the penalty shootout (Image: PA)

Defenders

Martin told us that Yukinari Sugawara will start the match if he is declared fit, while Taylor Harwood-Bellis is unlikely to be rested.

Jack Stephens could shift into a more orthodox role to give Jan Bednarek a night off, while Charlie Taylor's knock paves the way for James Bree at left-back.

Jack Stephens made a solid return to the starting team (Image: Southampton FC/Matt Watson)

Midfielders

Flynn Downes was among the walking wounded at Manchester City and Lesley Ugochukwu will be called up to relieve him of his duties for an evening.

Ahead of him will be Joe Aribo, unlucky to lose his place on Saturday, and Mateus Fernandes, who will likely have his minutes managed. 

Mateus Fernandes completed 90 minutes against the champions (Image: Matt Watson / Southampton FC)

Attackers 

Adam Armstrong made a decent impact from the bench at the Etihad and will join the growing Cameron Archer in attack at St Mary's.

The left attacker is the hardest position to pick. Ryan Manning has been playing there as a wing-back but it could probably be any one of four.

Cameron Archer went close to scoring his third goal in as many games last time out (Image: PA)

Full predicted team

(4-3-3): McCarthy; Sugawara, Harwood-Bells, Stephens, Bree; Ugochukwu, Aribo, Fernandes; Armstrong, Manning, Archer.