Saints Marching
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Southampton vs. Brighton: Opposition threat

By Chris Hughes

MIDDLESBROUGH, ENGLAND - JANUARY 27: Glenn Murray of Brighton and Hove Albion is congratulated by team mates after scoring the winning goal during the The Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between Middlesbrough v Brighton and Hove Albion at Riverside Stadium on January 27, 2018 in Middlesbrough, England. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
MIDDLESBROUGH, ENGLAND - JANUARY 27: Glenn Murray of Brighton and Hove Albion is congratulated by team mates after scoring the winning goal during the The Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between Middlesbrough v Brighton and Hove Albion at Riverside Stadium on January 27, 2018 in Middlesbrough, England. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images) /
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BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 30: Leonardo Ulloa of Leicester City looks on prior to the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Leicester City at Vitality Stadium on September 30, 2017 in Bournemouth, England. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 30: Leonardo Ulloa of Leicester City looks on prior to the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Leicester City at Vitality Stadium on September 30, 2017 in Bournemouth, England. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images) /

Leonardo Ulloa

The Argentine forward re-joined his former club at the start of the week, three and a half years after leaving the then-Championship side for Leicester City.

Ulloa scored 23 league goals in 50 games in an 18-month spell on the south coast, with his strength, heading accuracy and hold-up play being crucial to Brighton’s success.

Since joining the Foxes however the 31-year-old has struggled for game-time, despite scoring over ten Premier League goals in his first season.

Back with the side that arguably put him on the map, Ulloa’s strengths are the kind of qualities that have caused the Saints’ back-line some serious trouble this season.

Despite now switching to the more-reliable Alex McCarthy in goal, both Maya Yoshida and Jack Stephens are weaker in the air than your average centre-back – If Ulloa gets the nod he’ll be looking to win headers against whichever of the two start.