Leicester vs Southampton: Preview and Predictions

After a disappointing weekend in London, the Saints head up to Leicester to take on the Foxes and their former manager, Claude Puel, in the Carabao Cup.

Pressure is starting to really mount on Mark Hughes as supporters are calling for his job and each passing match it seems he has less and less time to turn it around and remain as manager of Southampton.

Both teams are coming off matches over the weekend and that means each side will look a bit different than it did on Saturday. For both managers, this is an opportunity not only to play youth players but also senior team members who are having issues breaking into the starting XI for league play. Let us take a look how each side will potentially lineup and how they could win this match.

Why Leicester Will Win

Ever since being let go by the Saints, Puel, has had success when facing his former team. Just earlier this season he managed to get all three points at Saint Mary’s on a late goal by defender Harry Maguire.

Puel, will undoubtedly like to continue his stretch of terrorizing his former team and the opportunity to knock them out of a cup competition in a season they are struggling for points would be the cherry on top for the Frenchman.

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The Foxes last cup match saw them go through on penalties against Wolverhampton. Jamie Vardy did start that match and it seems as though he will start again after coming on for a brief sub appearance over the weekend in which he managed to net a goal in his 30+ minutes of work.

Vardy’s combination of pace and strength will likely cause issues for Southampton’s leaky backline and could lead to conceding early. Once the Saints go down in this match it is unlikely they will have the guile to comeback and snatch the result.

Why Southampton Will Win

With the issues that are plaguing the team in league play, this cup competition feels like it has been put on the back burner and the focus is solely on surviving the league. With that in mind, the lineup Mark Hughes trots out there will look completely different than the one that featured on Saturday.

Today’s starting XI will be a mix of youth and players that have not seen Premier League football for some time. And for that reason, Saints could win this match. A side featuring players that do not have anything to lose and everything to gain could go out there and put on a winning performance.

Players like Jannik Vestergaard and Jan Bednarek will have the chance to show their manager (or future manager) what they have and why they should be regulars in league play. This will be a tough match and these players who have been itching to play will be ready for it.

Predicted Lineups

Leicester 4-4-2

Goalkeeper: Danny Ward

Defenders: Wes Morgan, Johnny Evans, Christian Fuchs, Ricardo Pereira

Midfielders: Adrien Silva, Marc Albrighton, Iborra, Rachid Ghezzal

Forwards: Jamie Vardy, Kelechi Iheanacho

Southampton: 3-5-2

Goalkeeper: Angus Gunn

Defenders: Jack Stephens, Jannik Vestergaard, Jan Bednarek

Midfielders: Matt Targett, Oriol Romue, Steven Davis, Mohamed Elyounoussi, James Ward-Prowse

Forwards: Manolo Gabbiadini, Michael Obafemi

Predicted Score

Leicester 2 – 1 Southampton