Saints are back in Premier League action today with a trip to Leicester.

Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side managed to come away from Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge with a goalless draw in their last top-flight outing.

They’ve since been involved in the FA Cup third round against Derby, which also ended in a tie after the hosts pegged them back from two goals down.

Saints have dropped into the relegation zone and are now one whole win away from lifting themselves out of it.

And their record against former boss, and current Leicester chief, Claude Puel, means that won’t come easily at the King Power Stadium.

Daily Echo:

Saints boss Ralph Hasenhuttl

Puel is yet to lose to Saints since being sacked by the club at the end of the 2017 season, although Leicester had to rely on penalties in the Carabao Cup tie last November.

The Foxes have come out of the festive period in good shape following shock wins over Chelsea and Manchester City.

Despite this, Puel always seems to be one game away form being given the axe.

His side lost to Newport County in the FA Cup third round last weekend, which has put the Frenchman under the microscope once again.

Saints’ Premier League record against Leicester:

P25 W6 D9 L11

Leicester’s Premier League form this season:

P21 W9 D4 L8

Who is the opposition’s key player?

Daily Echo:

Wilfred Ndidi

Jamie Vardy seems the obvious choice, but it’s Wilfred Ndidi who is keeping the Foxes ticking over this season.

The midfielder tops Leicester’s charts in passing, number of shot, aerial battles won and interceptions.

Ndidi joined the club in the 2017 January transfer window from Belgian side K.R.C. Genk in a deal reported to be worth £15m.

A closer look at Claude Puel:

Daily Echo:

Current Leicester boss and former Saint Claude Puel

Saints fans know Puel all too well.

The Frenchman led the side to an EFL Cup final and an eighth-place Premier League finish in his first season.

However, he was given the chop in the summer of 2017 by the club after supporters grew tiresome of his style of play.

After a brief time out of management, Puel returned to the spotlight at Leicester when he replaced Claudio Ranieri.

He steered the side away from relegation and then spent the summer making changes to his playing squad.

Daily Echo:

Puel signed James Maddison in the summer

But he seems to be in a similar rut to which he faced at Saints where the King Power Stadium is growing increasingly tired with how he sets his team up.

It’s because of this he is always tipped to be the next manager to be fighting to keep his job.

Puel is yet to lose against Saints in the games they’ve come up against each other, with his most emphatic victory coming when his return to St Mary’s ended in a 4-1 win for Leicester.