Southampton FC predicted team lineup vs Middlesbrough

Russell Martin's side were due to take on Preston North End and Leicester City but both games were postponed for different reasons.

It means they now have nine contests in 29 days due to a relentless midweek schedule, before the finale at Leeds a week later.

Here is how we think Martin will line up his team for the first outing of the Championship run-in...

Russell Martin is looking to get Saints into the top two

Goalkeeper 

Gavin Bazunu earned his 21st cap for the Republic of Ireland in a 1-0 defeat to Switzerland on Tuesday but will be available to start this one.

Gavin Bazunu has returned from international duty (Image: PA)

Defenders

Kyle Walker-Peters has returned to training and will be a big boost for Martin's defence, with Ryan Manning likely to start on the left.

Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Jan Bednarek's international duty could mean Jack Stephens gets the nod, particularly with the Pole suffering illness and one yellow card from a two-match ban.

England youth captain Taylor Harwood-Bellis should return to centre-back (Image: PA)

Midfielders

Flynn Downes will anchor the midfield again in what is likely the easiest decision for Martin to make in his starting XI. 

Ahead of him, Will Smallbone and Stuart Armstrong could return from their camps to start while Joe Aribo is another possibility. 

Stuart Armstrong celebrated his 50th Scotland cap this week (Image: PA)

Attackers

David Brooks was withdrawn in the Welsh defeat to Poland on Tuesday through illness and could lose his place to Ryan Fraser or Sam Edozie.

Ryan Fraser is back available but is unlikely to displace Adam Armstrong on the left with Che Adams playing through the middle. 

David Brooks scored against Finland in the EURO playoff semi-final (Image: PA)

Full predicted team

Bazunu; Walker-Peters, Harwood-Bellis, Stephens, Manning; Downes, Smallbone, S Armstrong; Brooks, A Armstrong, Adams.