THE OPPOSITION
Southampton began their Premier League campaign on Saturday with a 1-0 defeat away at Crystal Palace. Wilfried Zaha netted the only goal at Selhurst Park after 13 minutes to inflict an opening day defeat on Ralph Hasenhüttl's side.
The Saints ended last season in 11th, helped in no small part by a seven-game unbeaten run post lockdown. That series of results included a victory over Manchester City and draws against Everton and Manchester United.
Southampton have been fairly quiet over the summer in terms of transfers. Cedric made his loan move to Arsenal permanent with Pierre Hojbjerg (Tottenham Hotspur) and Harrison Reed (Fulham) also exiting. In their place have come Kyle Walker-Peters (Tottenham Hotspur) and Mohammed Salisu (Valladolid).
Danny Ings (pictured above) was Saints leading scorer last term with 25 goals in all competitions. He was the only Southampton player to find the net more than five times, form which earned his an England recall last month.
THE MANAGER
Ralph Hasenhüttl took the top job at St Mary's in December 2018 after two successful years with Red Bull Leipzig. Prior to his spell with RB, which included a second-place Bundesliga finish during their first campaign back in the top flight, he earned promotions from the German third tier with VfR Aalen and second tier with FC Ingolstadt 04. He led Saints away from the drop zone during his first months in charge, finishing 16th, and last year guided them to their best points total in four years, winning the Premier League Manager of the Month award for July.
Hasenhüttl's playing career took him from his native Austria to Germany, via Belgium. He won three consecutive Austrian Bundesliga titles, and two Austrian Cups, in the early 1990s with Austria Wien. The striker moved to Austria Salzburg in 1994, where he won another Bundesliga title as well as an Austrian Super Cup. In 1996, Hasenhüttl moved abroad, with spells at Mechelen and Lierse in Belgium before signing for 1. FC Köln in 1998. His two years at Köln brought just three goals as he finished his career with SpVgg Greuther Fürth and Bayern Munich II. Hasenhüttl played eight times for the Austria national team, scoring three goals.
TEAM NEWS
Mads Roerslev will be absent with a foot injury while Mathias Jensen limped off early on Saturday with a similar issue. David Raya, however, returned to training on Monday following a knee issue.
Saints are expected to name a strong line-up tonight as they build-up to this weekend's Premier League game at home to Tottenham Hotspur. Influential midfielder Stuart Armstrong is likely to miss out after picking up an injury on Scotland duty.
PRE-MATCH VIEWS
🆚 The Athletic's Dan Sheldon previews the Saints
⚖ John Brooks will be the man in charge tonight
WE MEET AGAIN
HOW TO FOLLOW
The only way to watch The Bees against Southampton tonight is at carabaocup.live. Buy your Match Pass and watch the game as we take on Ralph Hasenhüttl’s side in the Carabao Cup
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