In-form Southampton will travel to King Power Stadium on Sunday to take on Premier League holders Leicester City. Southampton, after getting four wins in all competitions on the bounce, stumbled as they travelled to the Turner Stadium in Israel. The Saints had to settle for just one point against Barak Bakhar’s Hapoel Be’er Sheva side after a 0-0 encounter in the Europa League. They still hold an upper hand over Leicester City in terms of form, though.
The Foxes defeated Portuguese giants Porto 1-0 in the midweek in the Champions League but were thrashed 4-1 by Manchester United last week in the Premier League.
Here are three key battles those could decide the game.
Charlie Austin Vs Wes Morgan
Charlie Austin is in the form of his life right now and would be fresh for the Leicester game after being rested in the midweek in the Europa League game. The Englishman has scored five goals in his last four games and will be looking to keep up his scoring run against the leaky defence of Leicester City.
The centre-back pair of Morgan and Huth worked wonders last season but are yet to impress this season. They have been exposed quite easily this season by teams like Liverpool and Manchester United and Southampton possess the quality to do that too. Wes Morgan needs to step up his game in order to keep in-form Austin silent.
Oriol Romeu Vs Danny Drinkwater
To get a positive result from a game, it is very important to control the midfield, something Leicester City have failed to do this season. Danny Drinkwater has looked pretty average this season so far and it is evident that there is a Kanté-shaped void in the middle of the park.
On the other hand, Southampton look quite settled in a 4-4-2 diamond formation where they control the midfield area. Oriol Romeu has been immense this season at the base of the midfield with his brilliant defensive abilities and passing. The Spaniard will battle Drinkwater for the dominance in midfield and the winner will have a big say in determining the outcome of the game.
Virgil van Dijk Vs Islam Slimani
Leicester City’s club record signing Islam Slimani has made an immediate impact at the King Power Stadium having already scored three goals from four games in all competitions. Ranieri will hope the Algerian can do the damage again, this time against Southampton.
Slimani is a big threat in the air having won 3 aerial balls every game so far for Leicester City. Southampton defender van Dijk has what it takes to stop the target man, though. Van Dijk was one of the best Premier League defenders last season and has been impressive from the very start of this season. The battle between van Dijk and Slimani will be something to look forward to.
