For the first time in 12 years, Southampton will represent the Premier League in a European competition tomorrow when they take on Vitesse in a Europa League qualifier.
The Saints are the big favourites to advance through from the two-legged affair, but they will have to be wary of their Dutch opponents, who enjoyed a good season last term and are expected to include a couple of familiar faces in their starting lineup.
Southampton
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Another summer and yet another big-named footballer has opted to depart Southampton. On this occasion, the player in question is Morgan Schneiderlin, who has headed for Manchester United.
Yet, despite the Frenchman having been a key cog in the South Coast club's success last season, there is a belief that he has already been more than adequately replaced by Netherlands international Jordy Clasie. Once again, it would seem that Ronald Koeman has dusted himself down from a setback.
He will certainly have been buoyed by his side's performances in the friendlies leading up to this encounter. In a bid to adapt to the playing styles of teams from the Eredivisie, the Saints have taken on FC Groningen and Feyenoord over recent days, defeating both of them 3-0.
Sandwiched in the middle of those games was an encounter against Dutch fourth-tier team Quick '20, who were hit for 10 goals, with Graziano Pelle and the fit-again Jay Rodriguez helping themselves to hat-tricks. It may only be pre-season, but 16 goals in their last three outings would suggest that Southampton will be full of confidence in the final third of the pitch.
Captain Jose Fonte confirmed as much when he recently told the Southern Daily Echo: "It will be like a dream, so I'm looking forward to it, obviously. Feyenoord is a bigger club, and we still showed that we were levels above them, so we're going to approach this game [against Vitesse] like any other - full detail and attention, and we will do our best to win."
In terms of recent European home form, Southampton have struggled. They have not won in front of their own supporters since beating Anderlecht 2-1 in 1977, although that does only date back five matches. However, during that run, they have been unable to get the better of minnows Limerick and IFK Norrkoping.
But, this is a very different team that Koeman has put together and one that will be expected to win handsomely, thus securing their spot in the group stages of the competition.
Recent form: LWLWWW
Vitesse
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Vitesse and their hosts actually have more in common than many perhaps realise. Not only have they both been managed by Koeman, they have also been raided by bigger clubs in recent years for their better players.
Starting with Koeman, he took charge at the GelreDome during the 1999-2000 for what was his first managerial role. He may have been a novice, but under his guidance Vitesse finished fourth and sixth in the Eredivisie and also pushed Inter Milan hard in the second round of the UEFA Cup, only to lose out to the Italians on the away goals rule.
In terms of personnel, head coach Peter Bosz has been forced to watch on this summer as Marco Vejinovic and Davy Propper completed moves to Feyenoord and PSV Eindhoven respectively. Meanwhile, Bertrand Traore, who scored 14 goals to help Vitesse finish fifth, has returned to his parent club Chelsea.
There is some cause for positivity, though, because although Traore has headed back to West London, the Blues have used their agreement with FC Hollywood aan de Rijn to send a further four of their youngsters to East Holland on season-long loan deals.
English pair Lewis Baker and Isaiah Brown have both made the switch, as have Danilo Pantic and Brazilian midfielder Nathan.
However, Vitesse's recent record in Europa League qualifiers does not provide much reason for optimism, with defeats having been suffered at this stage in 2013 and 2014.
Recent form: WDWDDW
Team News
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With Rodriguez available again following a lengthy layoff with a knee injury and the likes of Shane Long and Juanmi as options up front, it remains to be seen if Koeman will use Pelle as a lone forward, or provide the Italian with a partner.
Were he to go with just Pelle, that should see Sadio Mane and Dusan Tadic flank the striker, with Steven Davis potentially taking up an advanced midfield role.
There is likely to be a competitive debut in goal for Maarten Stekelenburg with Fraser Forster still sidelined, while Clasie should also feature.
At the back, it is anticipated that following the failure to sign Toby Alderweireld permanently, Maya Yoshida will partner Fonte at centre-back, but left-back Ryan Bertrand has a knee complaint.
As for the visitors, it is unlikely that all four of their Chelsea loanees will feature from the beginning, but Baker and Brown could both be included.
Southampton possible starting lineup:
Stekelenburg; Soares, Yoshida, Fonte, Targett; Wanyama, Clasie; Mane, Davis, Tadic; Pelle
Vitesse possible starting lineup:
Room; Diks, Kashia, Leerdam, Achenteh; Baker, Vako, Nakamba; Brown, Durjdjevic, Oliinyk
Head To Head
This will mark Southampton's first competitive fixture against Dutch opposition, whereas Vitesse do have previous experience of having come up against clubs from English shores.
In 1994 they faced Norwich City in the first round of the UEFA Cup - a tie that ended in a 3-0 aggregate victory for the Canaries.
Then, nine years later Liverpool were their opponents in the third round of the same competition, with the Merseysiders winning 1-0 in both legs courtesy of two goals from Michael Owen.
It means that overall, Vitesse are yet to score in any of their four meetings with English teams and have conceded five goals in the process.
We say: Southampton 3-0 Vitesse
Of course results in pre-season mean little, but the performances put in by the Saints have been positive. In contrast, Vitesse have not played many friendlies, so it would not be a surprise were they to be rustier than their hosts. Southampton should have the superior players and fitness levels, and as a result could well win this contest convincingly.
Liam Apicella
