Match Pack: Saints vs Leicester
Following the international break, Saints return to Sky Bet Championship action on Friday night as Leicester visit St Mary’s. Get set for a night under the lights with our Match Pack…
THE MATCH
Saints vs Leicester
Sky Bet Championship
St Mary’s Stadium
Friday 15th September, 8pm BST
THE OFFICIALS
Referee: Robert Madley
Assistants: Andrew Fox, Alex James
Fourth official: Sam Allison
HOW TO WATCH
International fans can catch the game from St Mary’s on Saints Play. For more details, click below:
WHAT’S AT STAKE?
Having both tasted their first league defeats of the season prior to the international break, Friday night’s encounter provides the chance to get back on track – for one team at least…
With Saints losing heavily at Sunderland and the Foxes faltering at home to Hull, an immediate return to winning ways will ensure the Championship’s early pacesetters remain within touching distance.
Just two points separate the hosts in seventh and Leicester in third going into this weekend, in what will be both sides’ first encounter with one of their fellow relegated opponents from last season.
Much has changed since the last meeting in March, most notably in the dugouts where two new faces will go head-to-head for the first time.
TEAM NEWS
Following a fortnight of international action, with 12 first team players heading away with their countries, the manager confirmed a largely clear bill of health ahead of the return to Championship action.
The only concern is Jan Bednarek, who was forced off with an injury during Poland’s 2-0 defeat to Albania on Sunday.
One player who will definitely be involved is Kamaldeen Sulemana, who the manager confirmed is finally in a place to be up for selection.
THE MANAGERS
Russell Martin: "I don’t think Leicester will come and change their approach and we certainly won’t. We want to be the team that is bravest on the ball and shows the most intensity. It is a great challenge and I’m really looking forward to it. We needed a game."
Enzo Maresca: "For sure, they are a good team. From my point of view, it’s so clear that they are looking for something with the way they want to play, and that will come. At the end of the season, they will be there and fighting for promotion."
TOP SCORERS
Southampton:
Goals:
Adam Armstrong 4
Ché Adams 3
Alcaraz, Edozie, Bednarek 1
Assists:
Ryan Manning 2
A Armstrong, Doyle 1
Leicester:
Goals:
Ndidi, Dewsbury-Hall, McAteer 2
Iheanacho, Casadei, Vardy, Mavdidi, Marçal 1
Assists:
Kelechi Iheanaco 2
Eight players 1
ONES TO WATCH
Ché Adams: With three goals in his last five appearances against Leicester, Saints’ number 10 will be a known name to Foxes fans.
Fresh from making a 25th international appearance for Scotland on Tuesday, Adams will be targeting a fourth goal of the season and second in as many games at St Mary’s.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall: The Academy product has stepped into the shoes left by James Maddison with consummate ease.
With a winning brace on the opening day of the season, the 25-year-old has been the visitors’ standout performer in the first five games, assisting Stephey Mavdidi’s winner at Huddersfield in August.
HEAD TO HEAD
Played: 98
Saints: 36
Draws: 31
Leicester: 31
LAST FIVE MEETINGS
March 2023: Saints 1-0 Leicester (Alcaraz)
August 2022: Leicester 1-2 Saints (Adams 2)
May 2022: Leicester 4-1 Saints (Ward-Prowse)
December 2021: Saints 2-2 Leicester (Bednarek, Adams)
April 2021: Saints 1-1 Leicester (Ward-Prowse)
KEEP UP TO DATE
Can't make St Mary’s? We’ve got you covered! We’ll bring you all the behind-the-scenes content alongside the in-game action.
Check out our interactive match centre at southamptonfc.com, with live streaming of the game for international fans, key updates and audio commentary of the match, and be sure to download the official Saints app and follow us on social media for further updates and exclusive content:
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