B Team Preview: Saints vs Everton

THE MATCH
Saints vs Everton
Premier League Cup
Staplewood Campus
Wednesday 18th January, 12pm GMT

Saints have already secured their spot in the next stage of the competition, remaining unbeaten in the Cup having won four of five of their previous contests.

It’s a busy week for Saints’ youngsters, who claimed an impressive 4-1 victory over Newcastle in Premier League 2 last Friday.

Lewis Payne, Kamari Doyle, Jimmy-Jay Morgan and Dom Ballard were all on the scoresheet at Staplewood, with Saints now sitting top of the Premier League 2, Division 2 table, tied on points with Leeds United.

With many of Southampton’s Under-18s playing their part in Tuesday’s FA Youth Cup tie with Aston Villa, Dave Horseman could defer to a different team than accustomed to seeing when Everton travel to the South Coast.

It’s been a season of mixed fortunes for Everton, who currently sit seventh in Premier League 2, Division 1.

Paul Tait’s side fell to a disappointing 4-2 defeat to Blackburn on Sunday, despite taking the lead early through Stanley Mills. Two goals in quick succession saw Blackburn with the lead, and while Francis Okoronkwo pulled one back to draw the scores level, a further two goals from the hosts confirmed victory for Blackburn.

LAST MEETING

Saints emerged victorious when the two sides met in November, again in Group F of the Premier League Cup.

Everton had the advantage heading into the break, with a goal form Isaac Price the difference at half-time but an inspired performance from Saints after the break ensured Saints claimed all three points at Walton Hall Park.

Two goals in just over ten minutes from youngster Jimmy-Jay Morgan were the difference for Saints, with two late red cards for Everton adding to the disappointment for the hosts.

MANAGER'S NOTES

Speaking after Saints' 4-1 win over Newcastle United, Saints B’s Head Coach, Dave Horseman said:

“Fielding a team will be an interesting task. There will be some of the ones that are, unfortunately, not in the youth team at the moment.

“Then some of ours are left. There are so many changes at the moment of who might be in the team. There’s so much movement in the group at the moment that I wouldn’t like to predict that line-up.

“Obviously we’re through, top of the group. It looks like we’re going to play Crystal Palace at home in February in the next round so it’s probably a good game to give people minutes that haven’t had many minutes and keep the squad strong.”