Sep 15, 2016 at 8.05pm UK at ​St Mary's Stadium
Southampton
3-0
Sparta Prague
Austin (5' pen., 27'), Rodriguez (92')
Romeu (78')
FT(HT: 2-0)

Kadlec (70'), Pulkrab (88')

Team News: Southampton make seven changes for Europa League bow

Shane Long celebrates scoring the opening goal during the Premier League match between Southampton and Newcastle United on April 9, 2016
© Getty Images
Southampton boss Claude Puel makes seven changes to his side for the visit of Sparta Prague in the Europa League.

Southampton boss Claude Puel has made seven changes to his side for the visit of Sparta Prague in the Europa League.

Shane Long and Charlie Austin have both been brought into the team following the 2-1 defeat to Arsenal last weekend, in what is a new-look strike pairing for the Saints.

There is also a place in midfield for James Ward-Prowse, while Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg comes in for his third start since joining the club during the summer transfer window.

Fraser Forster retains his place in goal, meanwhile, with Virgil van Dijk, Oriol Romeu and Dusan Tadic the others to retain their place in the XI from last time out as the Saints look to get their Group K campaign off to a flying start on home soil.

In terms of the visitors, who currently sit second in the Czech top flight, boss Zdenek Scasny has sprung a surprise of sorts by naming Michal Sacek in attacking midfield for his first European appearance.

There is no place for former Arsenal ace Tomas Rosicky in the Reds' squad, though, as he was deemed unfit to travel with Sparta as they embark on their latest Europa League campaign.

Southampton: Forster; Martina, Van Dijk, Yoshida, Targett; Romeu, Hojbjerg, Ward-Prowse, Tadic; Long, Austin
Subs: McCarthy, Clasie, Fonte, Davis, Rodriguez, Bertrand, Redmond

Sparta Prague: Koubek; Holek, Costa, Kadlec; Frydek, Vacha; Karavaev, Sacek, Sural; Kadlec, Julis
Subs: Bicik, Mazuch, Marecek, Cermak, Lafata, Holzer, Pulkrab

Follow all of the action as it unfolds at St Mary's Stadium with Sports Mole's live text coverage right here.

Virgil van Dijk of Southampton in action during the Barclays Premier League match between Southampton and Swansea City at St Mary's Stadium on September 26, 2015 in Southampton, United Kingdom.
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