Saints predicted team to face Man City in FA Cup semi-final at Wembley

SAINTS head coach Tonda Eckert has to make the most important team selection of his career so far as he looks to beat Man City at Wembley.

The St Mary's side visit the national stadium today for the FA Cup semi-final, while they host Championship promotion rivals Ipswich on Tuesday.

Eckert will definitely be without two key players through suspension, while another two stars are potential fitness doubts after recent injuries.

But the 33 year old remains convinced that Saints can win against Pep Guardiola's charges, who are in a record eight successive FA Cup semi-final.

Saints boss Tonda Eckert and assistant Ben Garner (Image: PA)

Here is how we think he will line up his Saints team...

Shall we get this one out of the way? Daniel Peretz, obviously.

There are two players here that are just as locked in as Peretz, with James Bree and Taylor Harwood-Bellis making up the right half of the defence.

The left side is a bit trickier with Jack Stephens a doubt and Ryan Manning suspended. As a result, it will likely be Nathan Wood and Welington starting.

Welington has not started since he was injured in February (Image: PA)

Caspar Jander is nailed on but Saints were hit with the news that Flynn Downes has been given a retrospective three-match ban for violent conduct.

Cam Bragg is most likely to replace Downes as the number six. Ahead of them, Finn Azaz will start if he is fit - but his knee strapping is a worry.

Tom Fellows and Leo Scienza were rested specifically for this game, and they will be tasked with exploiting the spaces behind Man City's full-backs.

They will look to supply striker Ross Stewart from the start, although in-form Cyle Larin will almost certainly play a key role later on in the contest.

Tom Fellows could time his first Saints goal to perfection (Image: Stuart Martin)

Full predicted team

(4-2-3-1): Peretz; Bree, Harwood-Bellis, Wood, Welington; Bragg, Jander, Fellows, Azaz, Scienza; Stewart.