Southampton go in search of their first victory of the new season this weekend after collecting just one point from their opening two matches against Burnley and Everton.
Both teams will be looking to kick on after making different starts to the season. Mark Hughes’ side have struggled in the opening games, putting in some uninspiring performances and really struggling in front of goal, something which needs to improve if they are to have a positive season.
As for the Foxes, they have performed well in their opening two matches, a narrow 2-1 loss at Old Trafford was followed by a comfortable 2-0 win at the King Power Stadium against Wolves as they began life without summer departure Riyad Mahrez.
A win in front of their supporters will really boost the Saints fans after what has been an incredibly underwhelming start from a side who narrowly avoided relegation last season.
Saints have no fresh injury worries with summer signings Jannik Vestergaard (illness) and Mohamed Elyounoussi (thigh) set to be back involved with the side having missed the trip to Everton last weekend.
Danny Ings marked his first start with a goal and he is likely to be a key figure for the Saints this weekend if they are to be on the right end of a positive result.
Hughes says that it will be a tough encounter for his side, but it is a boost that the visitors will be without Jamie Vardy who was sent off in their 2-0 win over Wolves last weekend:
Clearly, Jamie Vardy is a big part of that for them and he won’t be available.
That will be a bonus but they will probably have another £20m striker to replace him.
Southampton will be out to get revenge on their former boss, Claude Puel after his side thumped Saints 4-1 at St Mary’s last December. The Leicester boss has spoken ahead of another return to the South Coast this weekend challenging his strikers to step up in Vardy’s absence:
We know his importance to the team but we have to move on and to make a good confidence in other players.
It is a good opportunity for other players to show their attributes, like Iheanacho, Gray and perhaps Okazaki if he can come back with a good fitness. We will see this.
The most important thing is to have options and have a lot of players available to continue the work.
I think that that Saints will claim a much needed victory in this clash, but wont have it all their own way in collecting a 2-1 victory at St Mary’s.
