Southampton and Leicester City clash in a vital Premier League showdown at St Mary's this weekend, with both teams eager to secure points in their fight for survival.
Both newly-promoted sides have struggled to find form, making this fixture a crucial battle in their respective seasons. The Saints are desperate to avoid setting a new club record for the longest winless run in the top flight, while the Foxes are keen to break their poor away form. Here's a detailed preview of the upcoming match:
Southampton Recent Form
Southampton's recent Premier League form has been concerning, as they have failed to secure a win in their last 20 top-flight matches, dating back to the last season they were in the league.
Currently sitting 19th in the table, they’ve struggled to convert possession into goals, scoring just four times this campaign, which equates to the lowest in the league. In their last match, they showed some promise by taking the lead against Arsenal but ultimately fell to a 3-1 defeat, extending their poor run of results.
Injury and Team News
Southampton will be without the suspended Jack Stephens, who serves the second match of his two-game ban. Striker Ross Stewart will also miss out due to a muscular injury picked up against Arsenal, while Gavin Bazunu remains a long-term absentee.
However, Kamaldeen Sulemana and Will Smallbone are available again, providing a much-needed boost for the Saints.
Last Southampton Lineup
Here is how Southampton lined up for their last match:
Leicester Recent Form
Leicester City have experienced a mixed bag of results, sitting in 15th place in the league. Their recent 1-0 victory over Bournemouth ended a lengthy winless streak, and Steve Cooper's side will be hoping to carry that momentum into this match.
However, the Foxes' away form has been dire, with no wins in their last 11 Premier League games on the road, a run that dates back to February 2023.
Injury and Team News
Leicester head into the match with relatively few injury concerns. Jannik Vestergaard is set to return after his involvement with Denmark, while Patson Daka and Jakub Stolarczyk remain sidelined with ankle injuries.
Hamza Choudhury is a long-term absentee after dislocating his shoulder earlier in the season.
Last Leicester Lineup
Here is how Leicester lined up for their last match:
Southampton vs Leicester - Who is the Referee and VAR?
Here are the confirmed on-field referees and VAR for the game:
Referee: Anthony Taylor.
Assistants: Gary Beswick, Adam Nunn.
Fourth official: Simon Hooper.
VAR: Alex Chilowicz.
Assistant VAR: Simon Bennett.
Southampton Player To Watch
Cameron Archer will be key for Southampton in this match. He opened the scoring against Arsenal with a fine finish and remains one of the few bright spots in their struggling attack. His ability to make runs behind the defence and take advantage of Leicester’s shaky backline could be crucial.
Leicester Player To Watch
For Leicester, Jamie Vardy remains the one to watch. He has an excellent record against Southampton, with 12 direct goal involvements (eight goals and four assists) throughout his career. His experience and finishing ability could prove decisive in this crucial encounter.
Prediction
Both teams are in desperate need of points, but given their recent struggles and defensive vulnerabilities, a tight contest is expected.
Southampton will be encouraged by their battling performance against Arsenal, while Leicester will look to build on their win over Bournemouth. A draw seems the most likely outcome.
Our Prediction: Southampton 1-1 Leicester City
Betting Tips
Tip 1: Both Teams to Score
Neither side has been particularly solid defensively, and with both desperate for points, expect both teams to find the back of the net.
Tip 2: Jamie Vardy Anytime Scorer
Given his strong record against Southampton, Vardy is a good bet to get on the scoresheet, especially considering Southampton's defensive frailties.
Tip 3: Under 2.5 Goals
Despite both teams needing a win, neither has been prolific in front of goal, making a low-scoring match a plausible outcome.
