PL2 Preview: Leicester vs Saints
Southampton’s B team travel to Leicester City on Monday night for a fixture that could determine their future in Premier League 2.
Leicester City vs Saints B
Premier League 2
Leicester City Training Ground
Monday 19th April, 7pm BST
There will have been few games that have frustrated everyone associated with Southampton’s B team more than the last outing at Chelsea on Monday.
With the game finely balanced at the break and both sides worthy of going in front, Saints’ Kayne Ramsay was sent off for a second bookable offence after adjudging to have fouled his man despite appearing to play his pass.
Although Saints took the lead soon after through a clinical Kazeem Olaigbe finish, the numerical advantage told for Chelsea in the latter stages of the second half as the hosts came away with a 3-1 victory.
It was a similar tale for Monday’s hosts, who also took the lead during their fixture at the start of the week.
Tottenham’s Marcel Lavinier gave the Foxes a dream start with an unfortunate own goal after just three minutes, before Dilan Kumar Markanday equalised for Spurs on 24 minutes.
The Foxes fought hard but Spurs ensured of the three points during the final 25 minutes through J’Neil Lloyd-Bennett and Rodel Richards.
Monday night’s game poses a huge opportunity for both sides to take a step towards survival; three points for Saints would leapfrog them above West Ham and Leicester, whilst a win for the Foxes would put them above West Ham and four points clear of Saints.
The last outing between these two sides featured one of the most entertaining games of this Premier League 2 season.
Saints got off to a flying start at Snows Stadium, scoring three goals within the first half an hour, all netted by Nathan Tella.
There was still time for Tella to add a fourth, alongside a fifth by Tyreke Johnson, before the break as Leicester were left stunned following their 20th minute equaliser.
The second half for Saints was all about consolidation, and besides Demari Gray’s 49th minute free-kick they did just that.
It was night of frustration at Chelsea for Dave Horseman and his side, but the B team coach says the trip to Leicester poses new opportunities.
“It will be a really interesting game,” he said. “I think it will look a bit different to the Chelsea game, it will be a bit more direct.
“Steve [Beaglehole] who coaches them is an unbelievable coach and has been for so many years. His teams are so well coach.
“It will be a tough one but if we come with the energy and some of the quality we showed on Monday it’s a game we can get something from.”
