Leicester City vs Southampton. Premier League.
The King Power Stadium.
Jamie Vardy, James Maddison could return but Danny Ings expected to miss out after positive Covid-19 test; follow Leicester vs Southampton with live blog on Sky Sports website and app; watch free match highlights shortly after full-time on Sky Sports' digital platforms and YouTube channel
Friday 15 January 2021 17:07, UK
Team news and stats ahead of Leicester vs Southampton in the Premier League on Saturday; kick-off 8pm.
Leicester will be without Dennis Praet for Saturday's Premier League match against Southampton as the midfielder begins a lengthy injury absence.
The Belgium international is set for around three months on the sidelines after damaging a tendon in his hamstring in the FA Cup against Stoke.
Top scorer Jamie Vardy (hip) and midfielder James Maddison (knee) missed the third-round win at the bet365 Stadium, but are back in contention, along with right-back Ricardo Pereira (groin), winger Cengiz Under (hamstring) and defender Caglar Soyuncu (groin).
Southampton are expected to be without forward Danny Ings, who recently tested positive for Covid-19 following the 1-0 win over Liverpool and has been self-isolating.
Goalkeeper Alex McCarthy has, though, now ended his own period of isolation after being infected with coronavirus and is available again, while forward Che Adams has recovered from concussion.
Forward Nathan Tella and defender Mohamed Salisu have both picked up muscular problems, while midfielder Oriol Romeu (calf), Moussa Djenepo (thigh), winger Nathan Redmond (hip) and defender Jannik Vestergaard (knee) all continue their own rehabilitation. Michael Obafemi is recovering from thigh surgery.
Follow Leicester vs Southampton in our dedicated live match blog. Highlights will also be published on the Sky Sports digital platforms and the Sky Sports Football YouTube channel shortly after the final whistle.
Why are Southampton such a big price here? It's 7/2 for the away win. Am I missing something?
Leicester notoriously struggle when asked to dictate games at home, losing to Fulham, Aston Villa, West Ham and Everton already this season. Brendan Rodgers' men have won 12 more points away than at the King Power this season whilst Saints have lost just two of their last 15 matches and just one of their last 13 away games.
I cannot have a Leicester win here.
Yes, Danny Ings is out with Covid-19 but Sir Ralph has managed just fine without him in five games this season, losing just one of those. Hasenhuttl is a manager that does not rely on individuals, his emphasis is on team cohesion with everyone knowing their roles. Ings is the cherry on the top but the tasty ingredients that knit the Saints side together remain intact.
The reason for the market drift on Saints could be to do with their attacking output performance numbers over the festive period. Since beating Sheffield United on December 13, Saints have only scored twice with a combined xG figure of 3.2 - the second lowest in the division for that period. However, they have played Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool in that run, so I am happy to let those declining numbers slide for the time being. It's simply got to be an away win.
JONES KNOWS PREDICTS: 1-2 (12/1 with Sky Bet)
In a special Pitch to Post Preview Podcast we look ahead to Sunday's blockbuster between Liverpool and Man Utd at Anfield.
Sky Sports pundit Graeme Souness joins Peter Smith to discuss the big match, including why the hosts will be wary of their rivals and which players must stand up and deliver for their side.
We also get the latest team news and possible starting XIs from Sky Sports News reporters James Cooper and Vinny O'Connor, while football writer Lewis Jones - AKA Jones Knows - makes his Pitch for what will happen in the game.
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