Hasenhüttl considers rotation for Palace

Saints are back in the midst of a hectic run of fixtures, with a trip to Selhurst Park coming only a few days after Saturday's home game against Wolves, while an FA Cup fixture awaits this weekend against Tottenham Hotspur.

we know the next two away games are not easy, but we can go there with a lot of self-confidence.

ralph hasenhüttl
southampton manager

With there having also been little time for recovery following the incredibly busy festive period, Hasenhüttl is having to make sure he doesn't push some of his players over the limit.

"We have managed it well so far," he said. "It's always important that you are looking on the players, how much they have invested in the last games, especially in the attacking line – they have done a lot of high-speed runs.

"It's the last time we have a game during the week, so maybe we rotate a little bit. Let's have a look."

This meeting between the teams comes only three-and-a-half weeks after their most recent clash, when they played out a 1-1 draw at St Mary's, and, once again, Hasenhüttl does not expect there to be a lot between the sides.

"We know about the quality of the opponent," he said. "They have lost three home games – against Liverpool, Leicester and to City – so in all of the others they did well.

"We go there, and we know that we can take points in away games. We have done that against strong opponents, and this is another strong one, and then we go to Liverpool. So we know the next two away games are not easy, but we can go there with a lot of self confidence."

Indeed, Saints have won their last three away games, and will be aiming to win four in a row on the road for only the second time in the Premier League.

With 17 of their 28 points this season having come outside of St Mary's, Hasenhüttl's side rank among the very best travelling teams in the division, something he puts down to one particular factor.

"The fans – our fans," he said. "They are fantastic when we play away and it's always a pleasure to play for them, to show them our passion.

"They are supporting us fantastically, and it's always nice to give them a good evening or a good afternoon with an intense game from our side."