Eckert made six changes at Wrexham and was rewarded with a 5-1 win, and may look to keep the legs fresh against another play-off candidate.
Derby, who sit three points adrift of Saints in eighth, have won one out of their last five home games, and are without key forwards.
Here’s how we predict Saints will lineup against the Rams at St Mary’s…
Taylor Harwood-Bellis has been in fine form for Saints. (Image: Nick Potts/PA)
Goalkeeper
No surprises here – Daniel Peretz will start again. Having missed out on a clean sheet over the last two games, he will be desperate to keep the ball out of his net this afternoon.
Southampton’s Daniel Peretz has been a revelation at St Mary’s. (Image: Stuart Martin)
Defenders
Much like Peretz, James Bree and Taylor Harwood-Bellis are undroppable at the moment and simply have to start against Derby County.
There are question marks over the left-back position, and Welington edges Ryan Manning for us. Jack Stephens is just ahead of Nathan Wood, too.
James Bree would love to sit down and discuss a new contract at Saints when the time is right. (Image: Nick Potts/PA)
Midfielders
Eckert likes to keep his midfield pairing fresh, which could lead to changes from Tuesday’s win at Wrexham. Flynn Downes is safe, though.
Caspar Jander could come back in to replace Shea Charles, and it would be a huge surprise to see Finn Azaz drop to the bench.
Finn Azaz (right) celebrates with Kuryu Matsuki after scoring Southampton’s fifth. (Image: Nick Potts/PA)
Forwards
Leo Scienza and Tom Fellows were rotated at Wrexham, but we think they will come back here to face the Rams.
Both Ross Stewart and Cyle Larin scored at Wrexham and have proven they are interchangeable. The Loch Ness Drogba edges it for us.
Ross Stewart scored from the bench in Southampton’s 5-1 win over Wrexham. (Image: Nick Potts/PA)
Full predicted team:
(4-2-3-1) Peretz; Bree, Harwood-Bellis, Stephens, Welington; Downes, Jander, Fellows, Azaz, Scienza; Stewart.