Leicester City vs Southampton: Preview and Prediction
Leicester City can take a step closer to winning the EFL Championship title when they welcome Southampton to the King Power Stadium on Tuesday.
The 2023/24 EFL Championship season is in its final stretch, with only three rounds of fixtures remaining before the curtains drop. Tuesday will bring us a game that two teams missed due to one’s FA Cup commitments, as Leicester City and Southampton lock horns at the King Power Stadium.
Leicester City seemed to be in freefall for much of 2024 after struggling to stitch a winning run and kill the title race. The Foxes were once the runaway leaders in the EFL Championship, destined to become the first team to gain automatic promotion to the Premier League.
But after dropping points in seven of their ten games ahead of last weekend’s win over West Bromwich Albion, the gap on top had become negligible. However, the victory this past weekend has helped Leicester City create a two-point lead over Ipswich Town. So, Enzo Maresca’s men have their fate in their hands again.
As for Southampton, they were once in contention to clinch automatic promotion after rising to second on the table in February. However, a few inconsistent performances have left the Saints five points behind Ipswich Town, although the gap to Leicester City has come down. So, three points are imperative heading into Tuesday’s game, as a victory can blow the top-two race wide open.
The reverse fixture saw Leicester City cruise to a 4-1 win over Southampton, with Samuel Edozie scoring a consolation goal. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at the encounter ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides.
Team News & Tactics
Leicester City
Enzo Maresca does not have any new concerns hampering his preparations ahead of his side’s latest fixture. Against Southampton on Tuesday, the Leicester City manager will have a full-strength squad.
Kasey McAteer was the latest player off the treatment table, with Leicester City not having anyone on the sidelines. The home side will line up in a 4-3-3 formation against Southampton on Tuesday. Mads Hermansen will take his usual spot between the sticks, with the backline featuring Ricardo Pereira, Conor Coady, Jannik Vestergaard, and Wout Faes.
As for the midfield unit, there is no looking past Harry Winks, Wilfred Ndidi, and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall. Finally, Jamie Vardy should lead the line for Leicester City, with Abdul Fatawu Issahaku and Stephy Mavidid being the two wide attackers.
Southampton
Unlike his counterpart in the Leicester City dugout, Russell Martin has a few pressing issues to deal with ahead of the trip to the King Power Stadium. The Southampton manager will be without three first-team players.
Gavin Bazunu is the most notable absentee, with the goalkeeper recovering from an Achilles injury. In addition, Juan Larios (hamstring) and Ross Stewart (muscle injury) remain on the sidelines.
Alex McCarthy will take his spot between the sticks, with Southampton lining up in a 4-3-3 formation in front of him against Leicester City. The backline should feature Kyle Walker-Peters, Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Jan Bednarek, and James Bree.
As for the midfield unit, Joe Aribo will accompany Will Smallbone and Stuart Armstrong in the middle of the park. Finally, Che Adams should spearhead the Southampton attack, with Ryan Fraser and Adam Armstrong completing the numbers in the offensive trifecta.
