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Southampton vs. Leicester City: Preview and predictions

By Ben Whitlock

STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 04: Claude Puel, Manager of Leicester City shows appreciation to the fans after the Premier League match between Stoke City and Leicester City at Bet365 Stadium on November 4, 2017 in Stoke on Trent, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 04: Claude Puel, Manager of Leicester City shows appreciation to the fans after the Premier League match between Stoke City and Leicester City at Bet365 Stadium on November 4, 2017 in Stoke on Trent, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) /
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Southampton play their second game of a tough week as they welcome the return of former-Saints boss Claude Puel and his new side Leicester to St. Mary’s.

Mauricio Pellegrino’s men have come off the back of a second consecutive 1-1 draw, against Bournemouth and Arsenal respectively.

Despite only picking up 5 points in their last 4 games, Saints have showed signs of improvement under Pellegrino. The red and whites have become a new side with Charlie Austin leading the strike force, having netted four times in his last three starts.

Leicester are unbeaten in their last 4 games, having won the most recent 3, both home and away. Claude Puel has impressed in his second spell in the Premier League, picking up results home and away with top scorer Jamie Vardy leading the way.

Leicester have never got back to the form that won them the Premier League in 2016, but are still a very tough team to beat. They have quality all throughout the pitch which Saints will have to be aware of in order to get a result.

The last time these teams matched up, Saints won 3-0, with goals from James Ward-Prowse, Jay Rodriguez and Dusan Tadic.

The visitors currently sit in 8th place on 23 points, while Saints are poised in 11th with 18 points.

Related Story: Southampton 1-1 Arsenal: Recap

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 10: Aaron Ramsey of Arsenal an Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg of Southampton during the Premier League match between Southampton and Arsenal at St Mary’s Stadium on December 10, 2017 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 10: Aaron Ramsey of Arsenal an Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg of Southampton during the Premier League match between Southampton and Arsenal at St Mary’s Stadium on December 10, 2017 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) /

Why Southampton will win

I think Saints will be able to get past Leicester if they go back to their favoured 4-2-3-1, especially with Cedric at right-back.

Despite not getting the results they may have wanted in recent weeks, Saints’ performances have been impressive.

The current squad will know the way the Leicester boss Puel will like to play, and should be able to prevent their game plan.

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Why Leicester will win

Leicester have picked up results in the last few weeks without even playing all that well. Their front three of Gray, Mahrez and Vardy will be able to use their pace to get behind Saints and cause all sorts of problems.

They are a very well organised, hard working team that will be very difficult for Saints to break down.

Predicted line-ups

Southampton 

Goalkeeper: Forster

Defenders: Cedric, Van Dijk, Yoshida, Bertrand

Midfielders: Lemina, Romeu

Attackers: Redmond, Tadic, Boufal

Striker: Austin

Leicester

Goalkeeper: Schmeichel

Defenders: Simpson, Morgan, Maguire, Chilwell

Midfielders: Mahrez, Ndidi, Iborra, Albrighton

Strikers: Gray, Vardy

Prediction

Southampton 2-1 Leicester

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