Moussa Djenepo should be available for Saints while Youri Tielemans is not ready to return for Foxes; follow Southampton vs Leicester in our dedicated live match blog; watch free match highlights on Sky Sports digital platforms and YouTube channel after full-time
Wednesday 1 December 2021 20:07, UK
Team news, stats and prediction ahead of Southampton vs Leicester in the Premier League on Wednesday; kick-off 7.30pm.
Defender Jack Stephens could return to the Southampton squad for Wednesday's Premier League clash with Leicester.
Stephens is back in training after more than two months out with a knee injury and could be involved as the Saints attempt to bounce back from defeats at Norwich and Liverpool in their last two games.
Moussa Djenepo should also be available after recovering from a knock, but fellow midfielder Stuart Armstrong (calf) is still out.
Southampton provisional squad: McCarthy, Forster, Walker-Peters, Livramento, Salisu, Stephens, Bednarek, Lyanco, Perraud, Valery, Romeu, Ward-Prowse, Diallo, Smallbone, Elyounoussi, Walcott, Djenepo, Tella, A. Armstrong, Adams, Broja, Long.
Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers has the same squad at his disposal as for the weekend win over Watford.
Belgium midfielder Youri Tielemans is nearing a return after missing the last three games with a calf problem but is not quite ready yet.
Ricardo Pereira (hamstring) and long-term absentees James Justin and Wesley Fofana remain out.
Leicester provisional squad: Schmeichel, Ward, Jakupovic, Castagne, Thomas, Bertrand, Soyuncu, Nelson, Evans, Amartey, Vestergaard, Ndidi, Daley-Campbell, Choudhury, Dewsbury-Hall, Soumare, Maddison, Albrighton, Barnes, Marcal-Madivadua, Lookman, Vardy, Perez, Iheanacho, Daka.
Follow Southampton vs Leicester in our dedicated live match blog. Highlights will also be published on the Sky Sports digital platforms and the Sky Sports Football YouTube channel after full-time.
One result is not enough to convince me Brendan Rodgers has Leicester back to where he wants them.
The 4-2 win over Watford showcased what a deadly finisher Jamie Vardy still is but it also rammed home the point that, as a defensive unit, Leicester remain all over the shop. Watford created an expected goals figure of 2.7 at the King Power, highlighting just how many times Rodgers' team were cut open. Only Newcastle have faced more shots than Leicester (207) this season.
Meanwhile, Southampton certainly look the better balanced team with Ralph Hasenhuttl. Before the hammering at Liverpool, he had managed to shore up what has been a very leaky defence. The home win is fancied at 13/10 with Sky Bet.
Che Adams is fully reaping the benefits of Hasenhuttl's ability in improving players. He has grabbed the responsibility of being Southampton's main man in attack with both hands and has transferred that form to the international stage with Scotland, too. With Leicester's problems through the centre of their defence, Adams is bound to get chances to add to his tally of five goals in his last seven games for club and country. He can score in a home win.
SCORE PREDICTION: 2-1
BETTING ANGLE: Che Adams to score and Southampton to win (16/5 with Sky Bet)
On the latest Essential Football Podcast Alice Piper is joined by Sky Sports football writers Gerard Brand and Ben Grounds to look back on another big weekend at both ends of the Premier League table after Chelsea's lead slipped following a 1-1 draw with Man Utd at Stamford Bridge.
PART 1 | Was Michael Carrick right to opt against starting Cristiano Ronaldo - and should United have signed him at all? United's interim-to-the-interim manager's tactics are assessed ahead of Ralph Rangnick's arrival, questions raised over Chelsea's attacking prowess, while will Arsenal fancy facing this United side next given their own form?
PART 2 | Where does another bad result at Brentford leave Everton boss Rafa Benitez ahead of the Merseyside derby in midweek? Do Liverpool have anything to fear? And the curious case of Marcelo Bielsa and Kalvin Phillips...
PART 3 | Newcastle show Eddie Howe the scale of the task ahead of him with a six-pointer against Norwich next up, Aston Villa grind their way to victory again - and with two points separating the top three, who's going to win the Premier League?
