Saints take on Crystal Palace hoping to make it third time lucky at St Mary's in a cup tie after losing to the Eagles in the FA Cup in the last two seasons.

The last time Crystal Palace visited St Mary's was the final game of the 2015/16 season, back then Saints fans celebrated at the end of the game having attained sixth place and a Europa League spot, although the celebration was still slightly muted as there was still a chance that Manchester United might get beaten in their rearranged game against Bournemouth and we could finish fifth.

What we didn't know was what was just around the corner with Ronald Koeman deserting for the Everton millions and another summer of turmoil.

Now we tackle Palace again in the cup, this time the League Cup and we hope to avenge FA Cup defeats at home to the Eagles in each of the last two seasons as Claude Puel attempts to do what his predecessor couldn't and beat Palace in a cup tie.

There will be changes in both sides both Puel and former Saints boss Alan Pardew have intimated that, but the hope is that Saints have a bigger and better squad than Palace and can hope to put out a stronger team.

Saints fans can certainly take heart that their rotated side against Sparta Prague put in a good display and that gives confidence for this game, Palace will be no pushovers but we are now starting to adapt to Claude Puel's way of doing things and looking like a decent team, athough of course there are still issues to be addressed.

One possible change might be in goal where Puel might opt to give former Palace keeper Alex McCarthy his first competitive game for the club, in defence it's likely to be the same back four that faced Sparta, although Jose Fonte might be preferred to Virgil Van Dijk for this one.

In midfield there will be changes and Pierre Emile Hojbjerg could start with any two from Harrison Reed, Steven Davis, Oriol Romeu and Jordy Clasie around him.

Charlie Austin looks set to start up front, although Shane Long could retain his place being used as a wide man with Dusan Tadic and Nathan Redmond also in contention for those roles.

It could also see a youngster or two on the bench including Lloyd Isgrove and maybe we could see one or two other promising youngsters pushing for a place.

Saints need to win this game, yes it will mean a tough fixture list, but that is what we have to put up wth if we want success, personally I look a this competition as our best chance of getting through to Europe next season and continuing our growth as a club.

It's not going to be a big crowd this evening due to several things, not least the cost of playing three home games in six days, however it is sad that some have written off this season before it has hardly begun.

Photo: Action Images

ericofarabia added 17:24 - Sep 21 Lower than usual crowd can also be attributed to 1l Oh bloody hell not Palace AGAIN 2/ 3 matches in 6 days, although subsidised Europa and EFL prices, it still adds up with transport food and booze, and on a school night. 3 A lot of dosh has been winging it's way out of peoples coffers for away Europa jaunts
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