Southampton vs Leicester: Premier League match preview

A look ahead to this weekend's Premier League fixture at St Mary’s Stadium

Dusan Tadic celebrates his goal with Graziano Pelle during Southampton’s rout of Sunderland (GETTY IMAGES)

Southampton come into this game having won seven of their last eight league games, picking up only one loss at White Hart Lane. Leicester’s form has been quite the opposite, The Foxes are winless in five, having lost four of them.

The unprecedented rise of Southampton has taken most by surprise, especially with many backing them for the drop after their summer exodus. However, what first appeared to be a honeymoon period has turned into a living reality down at St Mary’s stadium.

Ronald Koeman has assembled a group of players who have not only shown sheer class, but a way of playing together that is really hard to break down. They have statistically the best defence in the Premier League, conceding only five goals, five better than any second placed team.

The Saints attack is in fine shape too, summer signing Graziano Pelle has scored nine goals in 12 appearances, in all competitions.

Nigel Pearson’s men however, know they are in for a relegation battle, and despite having lost their last four games, they are far from having the worst goal difference in the league. 12 better than bottom placed Burnley.

The Foxes will need to look for inspiration, and will take confidence in their dismantling of Manchester United, which was also their last Premier League win. They face a very strong Southampton side and will need to be prepared if they want get anything out of the game.

Striker Leonardo Ulloa who started the season so well has dropped off the pace somewhat and has failed to score in his last five appearances. There would be no finer time for him to get back to his best than in the South Coast on Saturday.

KICK-OFF: Saturday, 3pm

PAST THREE MEETINGS…

Southampton 0 Leicester 2 (Nugent, Mills), Championship, January 2012

Leicester 3 (Vassell, Wellens, Lambert og) Southampton 2 (Harding, Connolly), Championship, August 2011

Southampton 1 (John) Leicester 0, Championship, March 2008

STATS…

The last time these two faced in the Premier League was 10 years ago in January 2004.

Graziano Pelle has scored 65 goals in his 79 appearances, including international duty.

Southampton have conceded the least amount of goals in the league and have the joint best goal difference.

There hasn’t been a goalless draw between Southampton and Leicester in the last nine occasions they have played.

ODDS…

Southampton to win: 1.44

Leicester to win: 7.5

Draw: 4.3

CLASSIC MOMENT/MATCH

In January 2008, Southampton knocked Crystal Palace out of the FA Cup winning 2-0. They reached the fifth round before being knocked out by Bristol Rovers. This was the same FA Cup in which bitter rivals Portsmouth won and when Rickie Lambert was joint top goal scorer, he played for the side that knocked Southampton out.

TV: Highlights on BBC1 at 11.00pm.