Southampton were unlucky not to get something this weekend against Arsenal.

The Saints conceded a very controversial penalty in the last minute of the game at the Emirates as the Gunners prevailed 2-1.

The south coast club have not started their Premier League campaign the way they would have liked, winning only two points from the four matches they've played in.

However, their performance this weekend suggests they're improving and there's a welcome break from the intensity of the Premier League on Thursday evening as they take part in their first Europa League fixture.

Sparta Prague are the visitors to the St Mary's stadium this time around. The Czech Republican side finished runners-up in the Czech First League as Viktoria Plzen ended the season as Champions.

The Maroons made it to the Europa League Quarter Finals last season so they won't be an easy opposition for the Saints.

This is the Saints XI we think that can defeat their opposition...

Fraser Forster

Value - £5.0

Forster is one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League.

Standing at 6 ft 7 in he is a force to be reckoned with so good luck to the Prague strikers trying to beat him!

Cedric Soares

soares

Soares became a consistent player for the Saints last season and will be expected to keep his place in the team for their game against Sparta Prague on Thursday.

Jose Fonte

Jose Fonte

Fonte is respected as one of the most established centre-backs in the Premier League.

He was linked with a big-money move to Manchester United this summer but stayed with the Saints and will be expected to lead them out on Thursday.

Virgil Van Dijk

Van Dijk

Van Dijk took a few months to settle in the Premier League but he's now seen as one of the strongest centre-halves in the country.

He's had plenty of European experience with Celtic so expect him to be comfortable on Thursday night.

Ryan Bertrand

Ryan Bertrand Saints

Bertrand is returning to full fitness and is likely to keep his place in the first team after playing against Arsenal.

He has been one of the most consistent Saints performers since signing permanently from Chelsea in 2015.

Oriol Romeu

ORIOL ROMEU

Like Bertrand, Romeu was also previously at Chelsea. He has settled in the south coast though and is likely to keep his place from the Arsenal game.

James Ward-Prowse

James Ward-Prowse

Ward-Prowse was brought on as a sub versus Arsenal but we think Claude Puel might give him an extended run out this Thursday. The young English player is a budding talent.

Dusan Tadic

Football Soccer Britain - Southampton v Athletic Bilbao - Pre Season Friendly - St Mary's Stadium - 16/17 - 7/8/16 Southampton's Dusan Tadic Action Images via Reuters / Henry Browne EDITORIAL USE ONLY.

Tadic has been one of the best players for Southampton since joining in 2014. He will no doubt be crucial to any success that Southampton have.

Steven Davis

Steven Davis (2)

The Northern Irishman is one of Southampton's longest-serving players. He has been at the club since 2012 and always pulls the strings from the midfield.

Nathan Redmond

redmondsiants

The Saints signed the 22-year-old from Norwich this summer after the East Anglian side's relegation to the Championship. The winger is pacey and creative and will hope to cause the Sparta Prague full backs all kinds of trouble.

Shane Long

ShaneLong

Shane Long will start up front against the Czech-Republicans. He was on the bench for the Arsenal match but his direct style will cause all sorts of problems.