Barnsley are on a high after winning the League One play-off final on penalties against Swansea. Reminiscent of Luton last year they have made a strong start to their Championship season, but as against Cardiff face a stiff test of their credentials against the new look Saints.
With so many new faces, Saints are understandably taking time to gel, but the signs were there against a very physical West Brom side that we have the makings of a strong team. The concern at this stage is the lack of goals from open play with only a solitary cracker from Bradley-Wright Phillips.
Despite Surman's excellent impact from the substitute's bench for a tiring Rudi Skacel, Saints are expected to name an unchanged line-up, with another week's training behind Skacel. With concerns over the strength of our central midfield, Burley will have been encouraged by the all-action display of Viafara who stood up well in the midfield battle with former Saint Nigel Quashie.
At the back there is still concern over the injuries to three centre backs, but the rejuggled back four have kept clean sheets in the last two games with Chris Baird outstanding out of position at centre back. With Ricardo Fuller still struggling with his hamstring injury, the little and large combination of Rasiak and Wright-Phillips will continue up front.
It is these kind of away games against a motivated home side that Saints have to start picking up three points if we are serious about our challenge for promotion this season. We will have to stand up to the physical battle as we did against West Brom and then hope that our better quality on paper will make the difference.
I'm going for a battling 2-0 win for Saints.
Expected Saints line-up
Davis
Ostlund, Baird, Pele, Bale
Belmadi, Wright, Viafara, Skacel
Wright-Phillips, Rasiak