please log in to view this image Southampton v Leeds Utd Saturday 16th October@15:00 | St Mary's Stadium Influential winger Raphinha is set to miss the trip down to the South Coast on Saturday when Leeds face Southampton at St Mary's. Leeds leading scorer is set to make his third International appearance for Brazil against Uruguay in a World Cup qualifier at 1:30am on Friday (UK time). By the time he arrives back in England, he is likely to be drained. He could fly straight to Southampton airport, then rest at the team hotel, but Bielsa would have to be desperate for that to happen. If Dan James can transfer his recent Wales form to Leeds, he will cause the Southampton defence all kinds of problems. If as expected, Harrison plays on the left wing, with James on the right, his paths will cross with Romain Perraud, who was heavily linked to a move to Elland Road in the Summer. Leeds welcome back Kalvin Phillips to the starting line up. The England midfielder missed International duty with a calf strain, but unnamed sources from Elland Road indicate he'll start. Luke Ayling went under the surgeon's knife earlier this week following his knee injury. He is set to return early in December. This gives Jamie Shackleton an opportunity to make the position his own! Patrick Bamford is 'vying to be fit for Saturday', let's hope our only striking (scoring) option can at least make the bench. Southampton will be without James Ward-Prowse. The England midfielder was sent off at Stamford Bridge for two bookable offences. Che Adams and Armando Brouja are both doubtful as they both look to return from injury. Jack Stephens knee injury will keep hiss sidelined until the New Year.
Let’s not even consider risking Raphinha, far too much risk of him sustaining a serious injury if not fully prepared.
With James now here and Harrison now fully fit again absolutely no need to rush Raphinia in for this game, especially with young Summerville on the bench. Not taking away from Southampton but this seems a very weakened version of them and we should be able to beat them without Raphinia
Morning all. If Raphinha makes it onto the pitch on Saturday then expect him to feature in the next Marvel movie. Looks like Southampton have several key players out so with our other players starting to become available (including Paddy hopefully) then we should be aiming for three points.
I remember Che Adams tearing us to pieces twice in the Championship for Brum. With him out and Ward-Prowse suspended its a good time to play them. Remember we have Bamford and Raphinha out which is the equivalent to their absences. It won't be an easy game but it is also a winnable one.
Ayling, Bamford and Koch out injured, maybe Raphinha missing as we as Phillips if his fitness test fails in Saturday morning. So not fussed about Saints absentees because we potentially have 4 cert starters potentially missing and a German International. I still can only see 0-3 to Leeds for some reason
Thats what happens when lack of research is done before opening gaping mouth. “On paper…..” but as we know these games are not played on paper
Ayling we know was missing and will be for several weeks so always going to be Shackleton anyway, so real change from the last game. Barely remember the last time Koch actually played a run of games so nothing unusual there. The big miss will be Kalvin, he is the fulcrum for our play (and England’s as well now it seems) and the flair of Raphinha but hopefully James and Harrison will want to prove a point and be on fire.
Koch is no miss and I think Ayling was awful before his injury. Raph, paddy missing weakens the team, if KPs out it’s a huge loss. they’ve played better than their points tally suggests but hopefully their lack of luck continues.
With Rapha certain to miss the game it takes so much out of our creative ability. Lets not beat about the bush he's been our cog so far and every time he's been subbed our attacking ability has suffered big time. I'm expecting Phillips to make it coming from the pressy but if he doesn't we will be missing many key players. Scum and West Ham have both failed to take 3 points here this season early doors so this is no easy game by any means. but then again every game is different and it's all on the day sometimes. Harrison and James have to get at least 8's tomorrow in my eyes. Southampton are the teams we need to be taking 4 points off each season I want a win of course. but a point's not the end all. as it means 2 less for them aswell. I just want to see another performance like Watford and if we do that we won't be far away from them 3 points.
Trust me, as a Saints fan I'm happy with that. Delighted by the fact that Raphinha played 70 minutes for Brazil last night as well. Top, top player.