Southampton head to Loftus Road on Wednesday evening to face QPR as they start their post-Will Still life.
Southampton have endured a nightmarish start to the 2025/2026 season and will be hoping to turn things around against QPR.
The Saints have gone five games without playing and have managed just two league wins all season. Three consecutive defeats, the most recent a 2-0 defeat against Preston North End led to the dismissal of manager Will Still on Monday.
After Southampton’s disastrous Premier League campaign last season, there was hope that they would bounce straight back to the top.
But with just two league wins so far this season, the Saints have now managed just four wins in their last 51 league games since the play-off final victory against Leeds United in 2024.
Their opponents QPR sit comfortably in mid-table but were in excellent form before losing in their last two games. Manager Julien Stephan’s side will look to get back to winning ways as they sit just four points off the play-off places.
QPR vs Southampton – Championship table
| Pos. | Team | G | W | D | L | PTS | GD |
| 13th | QPR | 13 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 18 | -5 |
| 21 pcs | S’oton | 13 | 2 | 6 | 5 | 12 | -6 |
Southampton team news
Eckert faces a difficult task in selecting a team that has been hit hard by injuries. With no new returns, the interim boss will have to rely on players who have been in regular action to get back on the winning path.
Southampton striker Ross Stewart, midfielder Shea CharlesFull-back Elias Jelert and striker Cameron Archer all remain sidelined and therefore appear unlikely to feature against QPR.
Specifically, Stewart is expected to be out until 2026, with Charles also racing to return before the end of the calendar year.
The injury picture will certainly not help caretaker boss Eckert. He will hope for positive news on the other side of the international breakthrough.
Predicted XI
(3-4-3)
McCarthy; Harwood-Bellis, Stephens, Edwards; Roerslev, Downes, Jander, Manning; Fellows, Scienza, Armstrong
Southampton are expected to field a largely unchanged side despite the change in management, although Eckert could change the formations to a 4-2-3-1 or a 4-3-3 instead of the back five.
Alex McCarthy will keep his place in goal, with Gavin Bazunu waiting in the wings.
After an incident with a fan, Nathan Wood could be dropped for Jack Stephens, with the backline remaining unchanged. Mads Roerslev and Ryan Manning were expected to play as full-backs, although a change in tactics could see one of the centre-backs dropped for a back four.
Tom Fellows, who came on at half-time against Preston, was able to start wide to add pace and energy to a struggling Southampton.
Joe Aribo also returns to the fray after playing just four minutes all season, giving Eckert another option in midfield.
Adam Armstrong is expected to keep his place up front after scoring four goals for the Saints so far this season – more than anyone else.
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