Leicester v Southampton preview: Foxes continue survival push with vital clash
Saturday 9 May 2015 14:32, UK
Leicester host Southampton on Saturday looking to continue the incredible recent run that has seen them move out of the relegation places having seemed doomed for the drop a matter of weeks ago.
Nigel Pearson's side have won five of their last six to move up to 16th in the Premier League table, but such was their predicament, they are still just a point clear of the relegation places.
After being named Barclays Manager of the Month, Pearson will prepare his side to take on a Southampton side still battling to secure European qualification for next season. A top four spot now looks beyond the Saints, but they are still hoping to pip Tottenham to sixth and a guaranteed Europa League place.
However, Saints have failed to win any of their past three games and lost at struggling Sunderland last time out.
Shane Long was the match-winner in November’s reverse fixture, scoring twice as Southampton won 2-0 at St Mary’s. It is a very different Leicester side they will be up against on this occasion though.
Team news
David Nugent will return to the Leicester squad for Southampton's visit to the King Power Stadium.
The striker is fit again after missing four matches with a calf problem so midfielder Andy King (hamstring) remains the only injury absentee for Nigel Pearson, who has been named Premier League manager of the month for April.
Central defender Marcin Wasilewski (foot) and strikers Jamie Vardy (foot) and Leonardo Ulloa (ankle) are nursing knocks but all three players will be fit to play on Saturday.
James Ward-Prowse, Morgan Schneiderlin and Dusan Tadic are amongst those unavailable for Southampton.
England Under-21s midfielder Ward-Prowse serves a one-match ban following last weekend's red card at Sunderland, meaning he joins Schneiderlin (knee) and Tadic (groin) on the sidelines.
Jay Rodriguez has started training after a serious knee injury but is not yet ready for a first-team return, while Fraser Forster and Emmanuel Mayuka are also absent.
Opta facts
Leicester City have won five of their last six Premier League games, as many victories as they had collected in their previous 39 PL matches.
Southampton have scored two goals in each of their last three away games against Leicester City, winning one 2-1 and losing the others 2-3.
Two of Shane Long’s three Premier League goals for Southampton this season came in their 2-0 victory over Leicester City earlier this season.
Southampton have kept just one clean sheet in the five Premier League games since Fraser Forster got injured. Forster has a joint league-high 13 clean sheets in 2014-15.
Eight of Leonardo Ulloa’s 10 Premier League goals for Leicester City have come at home.
Merson's prediction
I watched Southampton last weekend at Sunderland and I was not that impressed with them and I think that they have now hit a bit of a brick wall. Meanwhile, I think Leicester are looking decent at the moment, so I am going to go 2-1 Leicester for this one.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-1 (17/2 with Sky Bet)
Betting
Sky Bet make Leicester 7/5 favourites for Saturday’s clash, with Southampton 9/5 for the win while the draw is priced at 12/5. The Foxes’ upturn in form has seen them pushed out to 7/1 for relegation, having been just 2/5 for the drop at the start of April, while Ronald Koeman’s men are 11/8 for a top-six finish. Leonardo Ulloa heads the first goalscorer betting at 11/2 following his brace last weekend, while Graziano Pelle and Shane Long are joint favourites from the Saints’ side of the betting at 6/1 apiece.
Soccer Saturday Price Boost: Aston Villa, Hull & Leicester all to win, was 9/1, NOW 12/1.
