Southampton travel to Leeds United tomorrow lunchtime as the regular Championship season draws to a close and Russell Martin could unleash a ‘sensational’ talent at Elland Road.
It’s been a disappointing end to the season for Southampton and an ill-timed collapse ahead of the play-offs.
Russell Martin’s men were sold a dream of sneaking back into the automatic promotion picture after beating Coventry City at St Mary’s, but three losses on the bounce – including a harrowing defeat against Leicester City – have cemented the Saints in fourth.
Martin must help his players brush off the disappointment of three straight defeats but will have to decide whether to risk any first-team stars or wrap them up in cotton wool ahead of the play-offs.
The South Coasters face a Leeds side who have an outside chance of finishing second on the final day, so they’ll be going all out for a victory, whereas Southampton could rest some of their first-team players.
Southampton injury news ahead of Leeds clash
Martin has several injuries to contend with ahead of their visit to Elland Road.
First-choice goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu faces 10 months on the sidelines after rupturing his Achilles in the warmup against Preston.
Stuart Armstrong’s season is also over after he was stretchered off in the closing stages of the Cardiff City, joining Juan Larios on the injury table while £8 million signing Ross Stewart could return to the bench against Leeds.
Martin rested a number of his stars in the 1-0 defeat to Stoke City, namely Che Adams, Adam Armstrong and Flynn Downes but there is one player he should throw into the starting XI tomorrow.
Russell Martin must unleash Joe Aribo vs Leeds United
Joe Aribo was named on the bench against Stoke after starting in their previous seven Championship matches, grabbing an assist in the 3-2 defeat to Ipswich and a goal against Cardiff City.
Martin missed Aribo’s creativity in the disappointing defeat against the Potters as the Saints only recorded three shots on target.
The 27-year-old is great technically at controlling the ball in tight spaces and makes piercing runs moving forward.
Against a strong midfield base likely to consist of Ilia Gruev and Archie Gray, Southampton will need someone excellent at operating between the lines and Aribo ticks that box.
As highlighted by FBref, the former Rangers man ranks in the top 4% of Championship midfielders for progressive passes, the top 12% for progressive carries and is defensively sound too, placing in the top 12% for tackles.
Described as “sensational” by Steven Gerrard, one of England’s greatest-ever midfielders, Aribo deserves a starting place at Leeds as his unpredictability and driving runs can help unlock the hosts.
Indeed, he should either replace Will Smallbone or David Brooks in the engine room.