In-form Southampton will travel to King Power Stadium on Sunday to take on Premier League holders Leicester City. The Saints’ four-game winning run came to an end against Hapoel Be’er Sheva in the midweek in the Europa League as the South Coast side only managed to get a draw from the Turner Stadium. On the other hand, Leicester City built on their solid start to their first ever Champions League campaign with a 1-0 win over Portuguese giants FC Porto in the midweek.
Leicester City have found it hard to replicate last season’s scintillating form and Southampton hold the upper hand over the Foxes on the basis of form. The Saints have had five straight clean sheets and will be eager to come back to winning ways. Leicester City were overpowered by Manchester United last weekend as the Red Devils thrashed them 4-1. This game promises to be a cracker, a Super Sunday game indeed.
Team news
Leicester City
Leicester midfielder Nampalys Mendy could return after a month out with an ankle injury. Defender Marcin Wasilewski is available after suspension while Danny Simpson could feature after missing out on the Champions League win over Porto. Matty James is out injured.
Southampton
Jeremy Pied, Jay Rodriguez, Sofiane Boufal and Florin Gardos are all out injured. Claude Puel rested a number of key player in the midweek in the Europa League and the likes of Austin, Fonte, Davis and Bertrand are all likely to be recalled.
Predicted line-ups and tactical setups
Leicester City
The Foxes are likely to start in a 4-4-2 formation. Schmeichel will start under the bar behind the back four of Simpson, Huth, Morgan and Fuchs. Amartey and Drinkwater will be the central midfield pair while Mendy could be introduced from the bench later. Mahrez and Albrighton will start on the flanks while Vardy and Slimani will start up front in a two-pronged attack.
Starting XI: Schmeichel; Simpson, Huth, Morgan, Fuchs; Mahrez, Drinkwater, Amartey, Albrighton; Vardy, Slimani
Southampton
The Saints are likely to line up in their natural 4-4-2 diamond formation. Forster will start under the bar behind the back four of Soares, Fonte, van Dijk and Bertrand. Romeu will start at the base of the midfield diamond with Davis and Højbjerg as the two box to box midfielders. Tadic is likely to start at the tip of the diamond with Austin and Redmond starting up front.
Starting XI: Forster; Soares, Fonte, van Dijk, Bertrand; Romeu, Davis, Højbjerg, Tadic; Redmond, Austin
Key players
Leicester City- 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. With his excellent aerial ability, the Algerian can cause a lot of problems to the Southampton defence.
Southampton- Charlie Austin
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 Leicester City defence.
Odds
Leicester City win @6/5
Draw @23/10
Southampton win @12/5
