Preview: Newport County vs. Southampton - prediction, team news, lineups

Southampton will attempt to record their first win of the season when they face Newport County in the EFL Cup second round on Wednesday night.

While the Saints head into this fixture on the back of an excellent point against Manchester United, their hosts have collected two wins from their first three fixtures in League Two.

Match preview

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Having suffered defeat to Everton after initially taking the lead at Goodison Park, Ralph Hasenhuttl would have had concerns ahead of Southampton welcoming Man United to St Mary's.

However, his young Saints side delivered a rousing performance in front of their returning supporters, having chances to win the game before eventually settling for a point.

Tino Livramento made the headlines with a swashbuckling display from right-back, but Adam Armstrong has also impressed after his transfer from Blackburn Rovers.

Those two players are likely to be among several who will be handed a rest on Wednesday night, but they have set the standard that the rest of Southampton's squad should aspire to achieve.

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As far as Newport are concerned, they will welcome the opportunity to play a game away from League Two after getting their campaign off to a positive start.

Manager Michael Flynn will not be present in the dugout after testing positive for coronavirus, but that will not stop him demanding a performance from his in-form squad.

Remarkably, this will be Newport's first home game of the season with each of their victories away from home coming by a 1-0 scoreline.

County upset the odds by defeating Ipswich Town in the previous round, but none of this squad have had a hand in more than one goal this season.

These two clubs are playing each other for the first time since 1968, Southampton prevailing in that FA Cup tie by the odd goal in five.

Team News

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With an away fixture at Newcastle United on Saturday afternoon, Hasenhuttl is likely to name a much-changed starting lineup.

Armando Broja and Shane Long could lead the Southampton attack, with Mohamed Elyounoussi and Nathan Redmond featuring on the flanks.

Goalkeeper Fraser Forster should get an opportunity between the sticks, while Kyle Walker-Peters may deputise at left-back.

Alex Fisher is a major doubt for Newport after coming off injured against Tranmere Rovers at the weekend.

Timmy Abraham could be brought back into the attack, while more changes are possible if priority is given to the next league fixture on Saturday.

Newport County possible starting lineup:

Day; Clarke, Farquharson, Demetriou; Willmott, Upson, Bennett, Azaz, Haynes; Hylton, Abraham

Southampton possible starting lineup:

Forster; Valery, Stephens, Bednarek, Walker-Peters; Elyounoussi, Romeu, Diallo, Redmond; Broja, Long

We say: Newport County 1-4 Southampton

Despite the possibility of Hasenhuttl changing the majority of his previous starting lineup, we still expect a convincing Saints win.

Newport have impressed against Premier League opposition in the past, but they may struggle to match Southampton on this occasion.