In a replay of the FA Cup semi-final, Southampton will face Leicester City. The Saints will be hoping to achieve a better outcome against the Foxes than they did in their last meeting, which resulted in their elimination from the cup competition. Leicester, on the other hand, will be looking to consolidate their position on the league table.
Many thought that the end of the road had arrived for Ralph Hasenhuttl when his Southampton side was thrashed 9-0 by Leicester City last season. However, the Saints persisted with their manager and even enjoyed some short term rewards. The Austrian tactician was responsible for his side’s ascent to the top of the league, albeit briefly, earlier this season. However, the Saints have been in a freefall since the turn of the year and now risk being dragged into a relegation battle.
Southampton are currently 15th in the league with 36 points, nine clear of the final relegation spot. They are the most out-of-form side in the league in 2021 and could yet find themselves in trouble should Fulham or West Brom put together a string of positive results. The only advantages they have over the teams which are immediately threatened by relegation is that they have a game in hand and a considerably stronger squad.
Leicester City, on the other hand, are enjoying yet another strong season under Brendan Rodgers. The former Liverpool head coach is on track to secure top-tier European football for the Foxes, with his side currently sitting third in the table. Leicester are on 62 points, four ahead of fourth-placed Chelsea, with just five games to go this season. They have won their last two matches after a couple of defeats looked to derail their bid to finish in the top four.
However, the job is not yet done for Rodgers and his team. After Southampton, his side will face Manchester United, Chelsea, and Tottenham in three of their final four matches. The pain of missing out on Champions League football on the final day of last season will be fresh in the minds of the Foxes, and they will be hoping that the situation does not repeat itself this time around.
Key Players
Danny Ings: The Englishman’s return from injury could prove to be just the boost Southampton need to finish their season on a positive note. Ings has made just 25 league appearances for the Saints this season, although he has found the net 10 times. He has also made four assists in the same period. The striker scored in Southampton’s last match against Tottenham and will be hoping to add to his goal against Leicester City.
Nathan Redmond: It has been another season of low output for Nathan Redmond. The winger has contributed to just four goals and three assists across all competitions. However, there were signs recently that he was picking up some kind of form. The Englishman scored in Southampton’s last win which came against Burnley. He was exceptional throughout the match and scored the winner in a come-from-behind victory.
Kelechi Iheanacho: The Nigerian forward is perhaps the most in-form player in the league at present. Iheanacho has scored in eight of Leicester City’s last ten matches, including a hat-trick against West Bromwich Albion and a brace against Manchester United. The former Manchester City striker has usurped Jamie Vardy as Leicester’s top scorer this season and will be looking to add to his tally against a struggling Southampton.
Jamie Vardy: Once the leading man for Leicester City, age is finally catching up to Vardy. However, the Englishman has shown that he can still perform at the top level by scoring 15 goals this season. Vardy also has eight assists to his name and a total goals contribution of 23 from 29 matches. The veteran forward was recently on the scoresheet against West Brom in a 3-0 Foxes win.
Prediction
Southampton and Leicester City are on the opposite end of the form spectrum. While the Saints are struggling to string together a winning run, the Foxes are heading towards a UEFA Champions League qualification spot. Given their respective form and the form of some of the players involved in this fixture, the signs point towards a Leicester win.
The Foxes also have the upper hand over the Saints thanks to some recent victories. They eliminated their opponents from the FA Cup to book a place in the final last week. Meanwhile, their 9-0 thrashing of Southampton remains fresh in the minds of football fans. In fact, Ralph Hasenhuttl’s team has lost their last three home ties against Leicester by an aggregate score of 15-2.
Furthermore, in Iheanacho, Leicester have the most in-form striker in the league. The Nigerian is beginning to show his true talent after a few years in Vardy’s shadow. He is Leicester’s top scorer this season with 17 goals and will be looking to add to his tally against the vulnerable Southampton.
