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da fazobetai： This article is part of Football FanCast’s The Chalkboard series, which provides a tactical insight into teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…
Southampton travel to Fratton Park to take on Portsmouth on Tuesday in what promises to be a highly-charged derby meeting.
With the Saints a Premier League team and their opponents currently play in League One, it could be assumed that there would be a gulf in quality.
However, anything can happen in football, especially under the lights in what will be the first meeting between these bitter south coast rivals since 2012.
And there are two players in particular who could be the architects of Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side’s downfall.
Let’s take a look at two players the Saints must keep an eye on in the Carabao Cup tie…
Marcus Harness
The 23-year-old forward has been in decent form so far this season, with two goals and an assist to his name in League One – Harness has also netted in the Carabao Cup.
Pompey’s No.19 takes 1.4 shots per game and makes 1.2 key passes per 90 in the third tier, while he also records an impressive two dribbles per game.
You can tell Harness causes opposition defenders some problems seeing as he gets fouled 1.6 times on average per game as well.
A tricky customer, the Saints will have to be wary of his threat.
Ronan Curtis
The Republic of Ireland international, like Harness, also has two League One goals to his name so far this term, and the similarities with his teammate continue as Curtis is also fouled 1.6 times on average per game.
What is most eye-catching about the 23-year-old’s season so far, however, is the sheer amount of shots he takes.
Curtis records a whopping 4.1 shots per game in League One, suggesting that he isn’t afraid to pull the trigger and test the goalkeeper.
As only two of his strikes have gone in, he arguably hasn’t made the most of his opportunities, but you can’t win the raffle without buying a ticket – and any pressure on the Southampton goal will give a huge boost to Pompey.
A daring attacking player, Curtis could prove a thorn in the Saints’ side on Tuesday.