Foxes of Leicester
Fansided

Southampton v Leicester: Match preview and expected starting XI

By Elliot Mackness

Leicester City's English striker Jamie Vardy (L) vies with Southampton's Polish defender Jan Bednarek (R) (Photo by NEIL HALL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Leicester City's English striker Jamie Vardy (L) vies with Southampton's Polish defender Jan Bednarek (R) (Photo by NEIL HALL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /
twitterredditfacebook
Prev
2 of 3
Next
Armando Broja of Southampton (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images)
Armando Broja of Southampton (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images) /

Over those five matches, Leicester have constructed enough quality chances for an xG of 6.4. Meaning we could – on average – be expected to score six and maybe an extra one with a bit of luck. Meanwhile, we have conceded enough chances for an xGA of 8.4. Meaning we could be expected to concede eight goals and potentially one more.

Southampton on the other hand have constructed enough chances for an xG of 6.6. Meaning they could also be expected to score at least six and potentially another. They have only conceded enough chances for an xGA of 5.7. Realistically this translates to six goals.

For the King Power side, these figures are actually slightly worse than before the Watford match. This is partly because the Manchester United fixture – where the Foxes played very well – is no longer in the statistics. Our previous five league matches have not been too impressive by contrast.

The Watford 4-2 victory could be seen as the start of the return to form for Rodgers’ team. Particularly, James Maddison is back. With an xG of 0.5 and an xA of 0.5, Madders’ contribution alone warranted at least one goal. Of course, his contribution led to a goal and two assists for the English playmaker. No doubt, he will feature in the first team more again.

Equally impressive was the role of Boubakary Soumare. In the absence of Youri Tielemans, our midfield is desperate for a progressive core to maintain balance and get the ball from the defenders towards Maddison and wingers.

Bouba accumulated five progressive passes, the most in the side. Though not quite as prolific as the Belgian Starman, having that balance in midfield to defend, progress, and create is important, and Soumare offers that progressive piece of the puzzle where Madders offers the creative element.