Points Crucial for Southampton Survival
There are two English Premier League games on Thursday night this week and the most intriguing of the two sees Southampton travel to Leicester City.
Leicester City find themselves sitting in the top half of the table and they have little to play for this season. With 43 points to their name, the Foxes are well clear of the relegation battle but have no chance of qualifying for Europe.
Southampton need every point they can get as they attempt to secure their Premier League status for another season. Mark Hughes finds his team 5 points adrift of safety and a win would give them a chance of survival but a defeat will leave them with a lot of work to do in their last four games.
Leicester City come into this match on the back of a 2-1 defeat at Burnley. That was their second defeat in succession following a 2-1 home loss at the hands of Newcastle United the week before and Leicester’s season is in danger of ending in a whimper.
The Foxes have won just one of their last three games, which was 2-0 at Brighton and Hove Albion and the extra-time defeat to Chelsea in the FA Cup came as a big blow, meaning they cannot win any silverware this season.
Home form has not been good and trends show Leicester City have failed to win their last four matches in all competitions and have won just one of their six at the King Power Stadium. However, Leicester have lost only one of their last seven home Premier League games.
Southampton were on course for a big win against Chelsea on the weekend before allowing a 2-goal lead to slip away. The Saints ended up losing the game 3-2, conceding all 3 goals in an 8-minute spell in the second half and it was a tough watch for the home fans.
That result means Southampton have lost their last four Premier League games and have failed to win any of their last seven. There only success they have tasted recently has come in the FA Cup, when they beat Wigan 2-0 away from home in the quarter-final.
Trends show Southampton have been struggling to win matches and they have picked up maximum points just once in their last nineteen attempts. You must go back to the 3rd February to find that win and it came at home against West Bromwich Albion, who are bottom of the table.
Team news and Leicester City can welcome back Wilfred Ndidi from suspension and he will slot straight back into midfield. Kasper Schmeichel went off towards the end of the match against Burnley and could miss out.
Southampton are without the suspended Jake Stephens, while Steven Davis is injured. It will be interesting to see if Hughes sticks with the three at the back system used against Chelsea or if the Welshman reverts to a back four.
Leicester City are not in the best form but they lost only one of their last seven at home in the Premier League and will see this as the perfect opportunity to get back to winning ways. Southampton will still be reeling following the defeat to Chelsea and could head home empty handed from this game.
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