Southampton predicted lineup vs Arsenal: Will Leo Scienza start in FA Cup?

Southampton predicted lineup vs Arsenal for FA Cup tie at St. Mary’s. Will Tonda Eckert start Leo Scienza in the Saints attack?

The FA Cup quarter final stage is underway. Manchester City have humiliated Liverpool 4-0 in the FA Cup to become the first team to reach the semi finals. Soon enough, Chelsea will play their FA Cup tie against Port Vale.

And then Southampton will go toe-to-toe against Arsenal at St. Mary’s in front of a whole sea of Saints supporters. As Southampton are 14 games unbeaten, it’s clear the evening won’t be a walk in the park for Mikel Arteta’s Gunners.

Still, Southampton will try to go for the win. First Jack Stephens and now Cyle Larin have been ruled out from starting the game. Flynn Downes and Kuryu Matsuki are already ineligible to play due to their yellow card suspensions.

On that note, below is the Southampton predicted lineup vs Arsenal that Tonda Eckert can field for masterminding a successful FA Cup upset.

Southampton predicted lineup vs Arsenal for FA Cup

GK: Daniel Peretz

Daniel Peretz has been a huge upgrade between the sticks over the injury-plagued Gavin Bazunu. Like with Leo Scienza, there might be a number of scouts coming to watch Daniel Peretz in action against Arsenal.

It’s not easy to claim a clean sheet against Arsenal these days. Let’s see whether Peretz can achieve it.

LB: Ryan Manning

Welington has only just returned to full fitness. Ryan Manning hasn’t left a lot to be desired with his performances in Welington’s absence, so he should get a deserved start against Arsenal.

CB: Taylor Harwood-Bellis

Taylor Harwood-Bellis was among those Southampton players who couldn’t take a point against Arsenal last season, despite playing well both times. He will thus aim for an Arsenal revenge. Also, without Jack Stephens, it’s a no brainer to play Harwood-Bellis for the full 90 tonight.

CB: Nathan Wood

Nathan Wood has a clumsy first touch and Southampton have paid the price for it a couple of times in the Championship. But Jack Stephens is almost set to miss the Arsenal game and Wood is far more experienced than Joshua Quarshie at the end of the day.

RB: James Bree

James Bree netted the 2-1 FA Cup winner against Leicester City. At Arsenal, he will be crucial both at the back and while going forward.

CM: Shea Charles

Shea Charles will take Flynn Downes place in the box-to-box midfield role. He has had a good international break so expect him to dictate the flow of the game in front of Arsenal.

CAM: Finn Azaz

Finn Azaz won the game winning penalty against Fulham in the FA Cup round of 16. Azaz has got a nice first touch, does good link-up play near the box and will be a key player in today’s Saints attack.

CM: Caspar Jander

Caspar Jander has got enough rest in recent weeks for Southampton. Playing here at Arsenal will be a good opportunity for him to regain match sharpness ahead of the Championship run-in.

LW: Sam Edozie

With Leo Scienza, it will be best to take precaution and try out Sam Edozie vs Arsenal. The 23-year-old is explosive down the left flank and can create a bunch of early scoring chances for Southampton.

ST: Ross Stewart

Ross Stewart is a sure shot starter as Cyle Larin is yet to recover from the long international break trips. Stewart has scored against Arsenal before, in the FA Cup before vs Fulham and might score the most important goal of his Southampton career so far to send the Saints through to the FA Cup semis.

RW: Tom Fellows

Tom Fellows did a brilliant job at Oxford United by delivering many good crosses in the box. He will be expected to do the same vs Arsenal, and let’s hope the Saints forwards are on their feet to turn Fellows crosses in the back of the net.