Southampton vs Leicester predictions: Sorry Saints to settle for stalemate
- Southampton are yet to win in the league this season
- Leicester did the double over Saints last term
- Recommended bet: Draw
Southampton, the lowest scorers in the Premier League, against Leicester, the team with the fewest shots, doesn't sound overly promising but the sky-high stakes makes this a critical showdown.
The promoted duo know that it's games like these rather than trips to Man City, Arsenal or Liverpool which will define their seasons, so expect no end of tension.
Team news
Russell Martin may revert to a back four after deploying five at Arsenal though his defence is still missing the suspended Jack Stephens.
Striker Ross Stewart, handed a first league start for Saints at The Emirates, picked up an injury and is out. Midfielder Will Smallbone should be fit.
For Leicester, Patson Daka is training again but a while away from a return and Hamza Choudhury is out.
The stats
Saints lost both matches against Southampton in the Championship last season with an aggregate 9-1 scoreline.
Southampton are the lowest scorers in the Premier League with four goals.
Leicester are averaging 8.3 shots per game in the top division, the lowest of any club.
The Foxes are, however, one of just three teams - Manchester City and Arsenal the others - to have scored in every league game played so far.
Jamie Vardy has been involved in 12 goals against Southampton - (eight goals, four assists) - which is more than any other opponent he has faced.
Prediction
The tension will be palpable at St Mary's as promoted strugglers Southampton and Leicester meet in a huge game at the bottom end of the table.
Leicester have the bragging rights knowing they thumped Saints home and away last term, famously put nine past them as recently as 2019 and have a win on the board courtesy of a 1-0 triumph over Bournemouth last time out.
But the pressure is on the pair of them with both Russell Martin and Steve Cooper realising the importance of games like these in their survival fights.
Southampton have done okay in flashes, notably for periods at home to Manchester United and Ipswich and against 10-man Newcastle, and they were resilient at Arsenal before the international break when they took the lead before crashing to a 3-1 defeat.
But defensive mistakes from over-playing at the back are still hurting them and they know only too well that if they offer Jamie Vardy the merest scrap he will dine out.
Leicester actually did even better at Arsenal where they were holding on for a 2-2 draw into injury time before succumbing 4-2.
With chances at a premium from two teams who don't fire off many, it would be no surprise if this ends up all-square.
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