Southampton lineup vs. Man City: Predicted XI for FA Cup semi-final

Southampton are sweating over the fitness of captain Jack Stephens ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final clash with Manchester City at Wembley Stadium.

Stephens pulled out of the starting lineup before Tuesday’s 2-2 Championship draw with Bristol City after tweaking his calf muscle in the warm-up, and a late call is set to be made on his availability this weekend.

Mads Roerslev (Achilles) and Alex McCarthy (wrist) remain sidelined through injury, while Ryan Manning and Flynn Downes are both ruled out due to suspension, the latter of whom begins a three-match ban after being charged with violent conduct by the Football Association.

Head coach Tonda Eckert will consider switching to a three-at-the-back system this weekend. Welington is a contender to replace Manning and start at left wing-back, while James Bree is set to operate on the opposite flank, as former Man City player Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Nathan Wood and Stephens - if fit - link up at centre-back.

Shea Charles, once on the books at Man City, scored an 85th-minute winner in Southampton’s 2-1 quarter-final triumph over Arsenal earlier this month, and he will hope to retain his place in centre-midfield. Either Caspar Jander or Cam Bragg could play alongside him in the absence of Downes.

Finn Azaz has scored a team-high 10 goals and has registered seven assists in 39 Championship games this season, and he is expected to operate in am advanced central role, possibly alongside Leo Scienza.

Ross Stewart has scored three goals in five FA Cup appearances (one in two for Sunderland, two in three for the Saints), including the opener against Arsenal in the previous round. He also netted on his last Wembley appearance as a Sunderland player in May 2022, and he could be handed a start up front this weekend ahead of Cyle Larin and Cameron Archer.

Southampton possible starting lineup:

Peretz; Stephens, Harwood-Bellis, Wood; Bree, Jander, Charles, Welington; Azaz, Scienza; Stewart

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