Southampton vs Leicester City: Prediction, Preview & Betting Tips

This will be a tight game between two sides who are looking to kick-start their season. Leicester got their first win of the campaign last time out, and we are backing them to continue this momentum with a victory at Southampton. The Foxes have lost just once of their last five games, courtesy of two late goals at the Emirates against a very strong Arsenal side.

Six of Leicester’s seven Premier League games have seen both teams score, with them scoring in every game so far. Southampton have been in poor form since their promotion back to the top flight. With only one point in seven games, the Saints are struggling to gain any momentum. They have scored in four of their last five fixtures, but haven’t yet managed to make St Mary’s Stadium a fortress, with no wins in all competitions at home this season – Southampton 1-2 Leicester

Leicester City travel to face Southampton in a battle between two struggling sides, though the visitors will be looking to build on a victory in their last game.

Date: 19/10/24

Kick-off time: 15:00

Venue: St Mary’s Stadium

Survival is the main aim for both of these teams following promotion from the Championship last season. It has been a disastrous return to the top flight for Southampton as they still search for their first win of the campaign. They currently sit 19th in the table with just one point, and are above bottom side Wolves on goal difference. Their one draw came against Ipswich, in which they squandered their lead deep into stoppage time.

The visitors had a similarly poor start, but picked up their first three points last time out against Bournemouth. It has given them a bit of breathing room between themselves and the bottom three. They have a great opportunity to extend their three point gap with a victory over the Saints.

Whilst Southampton are showing few signs of improving, Leicester have been trending upwards in recent games. In all competitions, they have lost just twice in their last seven games, the defeats coming against Aston Villa and Arsenal. At the Emirates, they were minutes away from securing a draw, before two late goals condemned them to defeat. However, they recorded only one win in this stretch.

If Russell Martin’s side are to get a positive result, they will have to find a spark in the attack. Their four goals are the fewest in the league and no player has scored more than once. Youngster Tyler Dibling has shown some promise netting one of those goals, and he could be a source of optimism for Saints’ fans.

Steve Cooper has seen a much more success out of his forward line, with nine goals scored so far. Veteran Jamie Vardy has shown he can still be a threat with two of those goals. Summer signing Odsonne Edouard is still waiting to get off the mark, and he may get plenty of chances to do so against a defence who have yet to keep a clean sheet.

There has not been much to split these two teams in recent years, though Leicester edge the recent head-to-head with three wins to two in the last five meetings. Last season in the Championship the Foxes did the double over their opponents, winning 4-1 at St Mary’s, and 5-0 at home.

Southampton vs Leicester will not be available to watch on TV in the UK.

Southampton

Jack Stephens remains out with a suspension. Will Smallbone should be available to make his return from a thigh injury. Ross Stewart and Gavin Bazunu are the only other absentees for Southampton.

Leicester

Patson Daka remains out, but Leicester should be welcoming back Jannik Vestergaard. Hamza Choudhury is the only other absentee, with a fully fit squad to choose from otherwise for Steve Cooper.

Southampton:

In their last five games, Southampton have drawn two and lost three. It has been a difficult start to life back in the Premier League for the Saints as they still search for their first win. The first game of this run was a 3-0 defeat at home to Man United. A missed penalty from Cameron Archer denied them a chance to take the lead, and this woke up their visitors. United ended up comfortably winning 3-0 with goals from Matthijs de Ligt, Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho.

Attention shifted to the EFL Cup in which they took on Everton. The game finished 1-1 after 90 minutes following two first-half goals from Abdoulaye Doucoure and Taylor Harwood-Bellis. That sent the game to a penalty shootout which Southampton won 6-5. In their next game, they were denied a first league win of the season against Ipswich. Tyler Dibling gave them a fifth minute lead but Sam Morsy equalised in the 95th minute.

They then faced a trip to Bournemouth, though they lost 3-1. The Cherries took a 3-0 half-time lead before Harwood-Bellis pulled one back shortly after the break. Their most recent game was a trip to title challenging Arsenal. The Saints took a shock lead through Archer, but this did not last long as Kai Havertz levelled the score three minutes later. Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka secured the three points for the hosts.

Leicester:

In their last five games, Leicester have won one, lost one and drawn three. It has been a tough return to life in the Premier League for the Foxes, but they finally picked up their first win in their most recent game. It came against Bournemouth in a 1-0 victory at home. Facundo Buonanotte scored the winner in the 16th minute.

This followed a tough 4-2 defeat away at Arsenal. The hosts had taken a 2-0 lead through Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard, but Leicester responded excellently with a brace from James Justin. It looked as though they were going to come away with an unlikely point, however an own goal by Wilfred Ndidi and a Kai Havertz strike stole the three points at the death.

Leicester advanced to the fourth round of the EFL Cup with a penalty shootout win over Walsall. The game ended goalless after 90 minutes before the Foxes won 3-0 on pens. They then faced fellow relegation strugglers Everton at home. The game ended 1-1 as Stephy Mavididi cancelled out an early Iliman Ndiaye opener. The first game of this stretch was a 2-2 draw at Crystal Palace. It was two points dropped after they squandered a 2-0 lead. Jean-Phillipe Mateta equalised from the spot in stoppage time.

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