Southampton return to St Mary’s in the Premier League as they host Leicester City on Saturday. This and more in this week’s Match Pack, in association with eToro…
THE MATCH
Saints vs Leicester
Premier League
St Mary’s Stadium
Saturday 4 March, 5.30pm GMT
THE OFFICIALS
Referee: Robert Jones
Assistants: Ian Hussin, Wade Smith
Fourth official: Leigh Doughty
VAR: Tony Harrington
Assistant VAR: Richard West
WHAT’S AT STAKE?
The importance of Saturday’s clash cannot be understated as both teams look to secure their position in the Premier League for another season.
Saints sit bottom of the current league standings, with Leicester in 14th place but just three points clear of the drop as we edge into a pivotal part of the season.
Both sides suffered disappointing defeats to lower league opposition in the Emirates FA Cup in midweek and are no doubt eager to show a statement of intent in SO14 on Saturday.
Saints came out on top in the reverse fixture, despite James Maddison initially giving the Foxes the lead after 54 minutes, an impressive brace from Ché Adams ensured it was the visitors who secured all three points at the King Power Stadium.
TEAM NEWS
Saints are boosted by the return of Ché Adams, who hasn’t feature in a Premier League match since the 1-0 defeat to Wolves at the beginning of February.
Tino Livramento remains the only long term absentee as Mohammed Salisu and Juan Larios near a return to full fitness.
The visitors will be without injured quartet Jonny Evans, James Justin, Youri Tielemans and former Saint Ryan Bertrand.
The return of James Maddison provides a huge boost for Brendan Rodgers’s side as they arrive on the south coast.
THE MANAGERS
Brendan Rodgers: “They’ve gone back to basics and more experienced players have come in. I watched the Chelsea and Leeds games. When their tails are up, they can be a really good side. We have to run and be prepared for a physical battle.”
Rubén Sellés: “I think they've been clear with their ideas. It's not only Leicester stats that are important. I expect both teams will be trying to win and trying to do what they can. It's going to be a really equal game and we want to take the moments.”
ONES TO WATCH
Ché Adams: The Scot will be eager to replicate his impressive form in the reverse fixture back in August as he returns to the matchday squad at St Mary’s, with goals vital in Saints’ bid for survival.
James Maddison: Also returning from injury and a goal scorer in the reverse fixture, the England international remains top of the stats for both goals and assists for Leicester in an otherwise difficult season for Brendan Rodgers’s side.
TOP PERFORMERS
SOUTHAMPTON:
Goals:
Ché Adams 9
James Ward-Prowse 8
Romain Perraud 4
Assists:
James Ward-Prowse 3
Adams, Perraud, Mara, Elyounoussi 2
LEICESTER
Goals:
James Maddison 9
Harvey Barnes 8
Kelechi Iheanacho 6
Assists:
Maddison, Vardy 5
Kelechi Iheanacho 4
Barnes, Daka, Castagne 3
HEAD TO HEAD
Played: 97
Leicester: 32
Draws: 30
Saints: 35
LAST FIVE MEETINGS
August 2022: Leicester 1-2 Saints (Adams)
May 2022: Leicester 4-1 Saints (Ward-Prowse)
December 2021: Saints 2-2 Leicester (Bednarek, Adams)
April 2021: Saints 1-1 Leicester (Ward-Prowse)
April 2021: Leicester 1-0 Saints
January 2021: Leicester 2-0 Saints
DID YOU KNOW?
- Southampton are looking to complete the league double over Leicester for the first time since 2007-08 in the Championship, while they last did so as a top-flight club in 1986-87.
- Southampton have the youngest average starting XI in the Premier League this season (24y 268d). They've given 5,388 minutes to players aged under 21, only doing so more in a single Premier League campaign in 1997-98 (5,609) and 2013-14 (6,627).
KEEP UP TO DATE
Can't make the game? We’ve got you covered! We’ll bring you all of the action from St Mary’s Stadium, as well as a host of behind-the-scenes access.
Check out our interactive match centre at southamptonfc.com, with all of the live in-game updates and free audio commentary of the match, and be sure to follow us on social media for further updates and exclusive content:
- Instagram
- Twitter
- Facebook
- Snapchat
Share this: