Leicester vs Southampton prediction: ENGLAND: Premier League betting tips on match 2022-08-19 14:00.
A section of pessimistic Leicester City fans are already predicting a relegation battle after the Foxes picked up one point from their first two Premier League (PL) matches (D1, L1). Yet manager Brendan Rodgers says he has no plans to sign any new players, despite other clubs showing interest in Leicester quartet Wesley Fofana, James Maddison, Youri Tielemans and Jamie Vardy!
On the evidence of those two games, something needs to change as they squandered a two-goal lead against Brentford (D 2-2) and were outclassed by Arsenal (L 4-2) while again struggling defensively at set pieces, as they did last term. But with just one loss in ten home league matches (W5, D4), including a 4-1 H2H win against Southampton in May, if a return to form is coming, then it could arrive here.
Visitors Southampton fought back to claim a 2-2 draw with Leeds United last time out, with manager Ralph Hasenhüttl describing their recovery as “phenomenal”. He’s a man under pressure though after the Saints started the season in the same way as their hosts (D1, L1) with fans growing increasingly frustrated with the Austrian and cries for a managerial change amplified by just one win in their last 14 PL outings (D3, L10).
After deflecting questions about his future, guiding his side to a rare away win may buy Hasenhüttl some time. Given Southampton haven’t won a PL road game since February (D3, L5 since) and conceded at least three times in each of their last three such outings, that doesn’t seem likely though, especially with memories of the crushing 9-0 H2H defeat of 2019 undoubtedly still lingering.
Players to watch: A goal contribution (G1, A1) in each game so far shows why Leicester don’t want to sell James Maddison, who’s scored four times in eight PL appearances against Southampton. Saints fans lamented Joe Aribo’s late introduction against Leeds after he netted his fourth consecutive goal after the 55th minute.
Hot stat: Leicester’s last eight home PL wins all came after they opened the scoring.