Predicted Leicester City starting XI vs Southampton

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SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 18: A general view of St Mary’s Stadium home of Southampton during the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Wolverhampton Wanderers at St Mary’s Stadium on January 18, 2020 in Southampton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Matthew Ashton – AMA/Getty Images) /

It is the biggest game so far in Leicester City’s Championship Campaign. The Foxes travel to St.Mary’s stadium to take on former Premier League side Southampton. Despite both teams being favored to gain automatic promotion, neither currently sit in an automatic promotion spot. Leicester currently sits third in the league with The Saints in seventh place.

This is a big time clash that Enzo Maresca must have his best side ready for. Games like this will show to the world if the East Midlands team is the caliber of a first tier English side or if they’re a second tier English side. Needing to play his best possible side, here is who I believe Maresca will start against Southampton.

I believe Leicester should play an attacking style of football against Southampton. While I’m a big fan of the team playing the ball through the backline and controlling the possession, Southampton allows a lot of goals. They allowed five against Sunderland, four against Norwich, and three against Gillingham. So I believe the Italian Manager should go with a formation that allows us to quickly counter attack after The Saints lose possession.

So I believe we counteract Russell Martin’s 433 with a 433 of our own. This formation leads to the best counter attacking football which will lead to Southampton struggling to keep up with our pace.