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Southampton vs Leicester City: The Best XI

By Aaron Preston

LEICESTER, ENGLAND - APRIL 03: Jordy Clasie of Southampton in action with Daniel Drinkwater and Shinji Okazaki of Leicester City during the Barclays Premier League match between Leicester City and Southampton at The King Power Stadium on April 3, 2016 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)
LEICESTER, ENGLAND - APRIL 03: Jordy Clasie of Southampton in action with Daniel Drinkwater and Shinji Okazaki of Leicester City during the Barclays Premier League match between Leicester City and Southampton at The King Power Stadium on April 3, 2016 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images) /
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STRATFORD, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 25: Angelo Ogbonna of West Ham United in action with Southampton’s Ryan Bertrand during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Southampton at London Stadium on September 25, 2016 in Stratford, England. (Photo by James Griffiths/West Ham United via Getty Images)
STRATFORD, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 25: Angelo Ogbonna of West Ham United in action with Southampton’s Ryan Bertrand during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Southampton at London Stadium on September 25, 2016 in Stratford, England. (Photo by James Griffiths/West Ham United via Getty Images) /

Ryan Bertrand

Putting Southampton’s Bertrand over Leicester’s Christian Fuchs is a tough call and one I’m sure I’ll get stick for. Bias aside, I honestly feel Bertrand has earned the spot with some great defending since his return from a preseason knee injury. He’s had one or two mistakes throughout his 2016/17 campaign but nothing game-fatal, and has proven his worth in shutting down the Premier League’s best.

Danny Simpson

On the right back position, we have to give it to Leicester, all day. Neither Cédric nor Cuco Martina inspire much confidence in the Southampton faithful, and Simpson has been as solid as the rock of Gibraltar this season and last.

Simpson is an aggressive enforcer on the ball, and pretty good with getting play moving forward once he’s taken back possession. A great asset for possession-based teams such as Southampton and counter-attack-heavy teams like his own Leicester City.

So, there we have it, with fullbacks Southampton still hold a 2-1 advantage.