Match Pack: Saints vs Rotherham
Saints are back at St Mary's on Saturday as Russell Martin's side host Rotherham. Get set for the Sky Bet Championship showdown with our Match Pack...
THE MATCH
Saints vs Rotherham United
Sky Bet Championship
St Mary’s Stadium
Saturday 7th October, 3pm BST
THE OFFICIALS
Referee: John Busby
Assistants: Richard Wild, Mark Pottage
Fourth official: Tom Nield
WHAT KIT WILL SAINTS BE WEARING?
Returning to SO14, Saints will be in their traditional red and white striped home kit with black shorts and white socks.
Saints will be looking for back-to-back home wins
HOW TO WATCH?
International fans, whether you have a Season Pass or you’re buying match-by-match (£10), you’ll be able to stream video coverage of our game against Rotherham.
Video coverage of Saints vs Rotherham won’t be available through Saints Play to fans in the UK and Ireland because of the 3pm kick-off blackout but it will be available to international fans.
Everyone, including those of you in the UK and Ireland, will be able to listen to audio coverage of the weekend’s action, too.
WHAT’S AT STAKE?
Heading into last weekend on the back of four straight defeats, the pendulum of momentum has completely swung in favour of Russell Martin’s side, who return to the south coast having beaten both Leeds and Stoke in their last two outings.
Chasing a third win in the space of a week, Saints will be aiming to finish on a high heading into the October international break.
They’ll be up against a Rotherham side who have failed to win in their last five outings and are yet to take a point on the road this season.
Matt Taylor’s side suffered defeat to Bristol City at home in midweek, with a stoppage time strike denying the Millers a point as they now head south.
TEAM NEWS
Russell Martin didn't reveal any new injury concerns, with Jack Stephens, Ross Stewart and Juan Larios remaining longer-term absentees.
There's no such luxury for the visitors however, who are suffering from something of a defensive injury crisis. The Millers will be without Sean Morrison, Cameron Humphreys, Tyler Blackett and Jamie Lindsay, although are boosted by the recent returns of Cafú, Lee Peltier and Grant Hall.
THE MANAGERS
Russell Martin: "The worst trap you can fall into is complacency. Internally, it’s been the same process and we’ve worked extremely hard. We’re aware the expectation will increase tomorrow but we’re facing a team fighting to bounce back.
"We have to make sure we can create our own energy, own atmosphere and give our fans something to cheer about early in the game.”
Matt Taylor: To follow.
TOP SCORERS
Southampton
Goals:
Adam Armstrong 7
Ché Adams 3
Samuel Edozie 2
Assists:
Adams, Kamaldeen, Manning 2
A Armstrong, Doyle, Walker-Peters 1
Rotherham
Goals:
Onyedinma, Odoffin, Hugill 2
Peltier, Kayode, Morrison, Lembikisa, Blackett 1
Assists:
Cafú 3
Onyedinma, Appiah, Humphreys 1
ONES TO WATCH
Charly Alcaraz: Starting the last two matches as a false nine, the 20-year-old has benefited from the slight tactical change from Russell Martin.
Providing the link between midfield and attack effectively and dropping deep to leave space in behind for the pacey pair of Adam Armstrong and Kamaldeen Sulemana, Alcaraz will be further buoyed by his first senior Argentina call-up.
Cafú: The Brazilian made his return from injury off the bench in midweek, but could be in Matt Taylor's plans to make a return to the starting XI.
With three assists from just seven appearances, the 30-year-old could provide some much-needed creativity for the visitors.
HEAD TO HEAD
Played: 21
Saints: 9
Draws: 3
Rotherham: 9
LAST FIVE MEETINGS
September 2008: Rotherham 3-1 Saints (John)
January 2002: Rotherham 2-1 Saints (Pahars)
November 1983: Rotherham 2-1 Saints (David Armstrong)
March 1966: Saints 1-0 Rotherham (Paine)
September 1965: Rotherham 1-0 Saints
DID YOU KNOW?
This is Saints and Rotherham’s first league meeting since March 1966, a 1-1 draw. On home soil, the Saints have won six of eight games against the Millers (D1 L1), between 1952 and 1966.
KEEP UP TO DATE
Not joining us at St Mary’s? We’ve got you covered! We’ll bring you all the behind-the-scenes content alongside the in-game action as Saints host Rotherham.
Check out our interactive match centre at southamptonfc.com, with live streaming of the game, key updates and audio commentary of the match, and be sure to download the official Saints app and follow us on social media for further updates and exclusive content:
