Southampton meet Leicester City at St Mary’s Stadium in the race for Premier League survival.
Victory would lift Southampton up to 18th but they will remain in the relegation zone, unless Ipswich loses elsewhere with a two-goal or more swing towards the Saints.
If West Ham and Manchester United both lose elsewhere, Leicester could go 12th before Bournemouth play in the teatime kick-off.
Team News
Ross Stewart is ruled out for Southampton after he suffered a muscle injury in their 3-1 loss at Arsenal, just before the international break.
Will Smallbone (thigh) and Kamaldeen Sulemana (ankle) are both available but Jack Stephens (suspension) and Gavin Bazunu (Achilles) remain ruled out.
Leicester have no fresh injury concerns to report as Hamza Choudhury (shoulder), Jakub Stolarczyk and Patson Daka (both ankle) remain sidelined.
When is Kick-Off?
Southampton host Leicester at St Mary’s Stadium on Saturday 19 October at 3pm BST, untelevised live in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Southampton have won two of their last five league meetings against Leicester (W2, L3), but two of their three losses came in Championship last season.
- Leicester have claimed 14 points in their last seven league visits to Southampton (W4, D2, L1).
- Wilfried Ndidi and Jamie Vardy scored in both of Leicester’s meetings against Southampton last season.
- Two of Southampton’s five conceded goals at home came in second-half injury time.
- Leicester have scored five goals in their three away matches in the top-flight this season.
Prediction
With no real prospect of a result at Arsenal before the international break, Southampton did well to dig deep defensively and take the lead only to ultimately be outclassed with valuable lessons in their end product.
Leicester however were much more clinical in their narrow win over Bournemouth because they certainly took the fight to the Cherries, with a ruthless winner coupled with a superb defensive effort.
Russell Martin’s Saints therefore will need to find their defensive edge because whilst they’re slowly improving up front, their back lines could well cost them here if the Foxes can come and build upon that result.
Prediction: Southampton 1-2 Leicester
Result: Southampton 2-3 Leicester