Southampton vs Leicester City predicted team lineup in EPL

Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side go into the fixture on the back of two consecutive defeats and a 4-0 hammering at the hands of Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday.

The Austrian boss made a brave change of shape to a five (or three) man defence, depending on how view it, and it didn’t pay off.

It means it’s almost a certainty that he will return to the usual 4-2-2-2. Monitoring players’ fitness and rotation, here’s how we think he will line up.

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Goalkeeper

Alex McCarthy is likely to retain his place in net for Saints despite a disappointing performance at Norwich and then conceding four on the road at Liverpool. Hasenhuttl said pre-Anfield that “three not good performances are definitely not helpful to stay in the team” so perhaps Fraser Forster could be afforded a chance soon – but McCarthy has done well this campaign.

Alex McCarthy has five clean sheets in 13 Premier League matches (Pic: PA)

Defenders

Tino Livramento has started all 13 games in the league this season and will be due a rest soon, but Hasenhuttl has insisted he’s not tired. Kyle Walker-Peters was dropped in favour of Romain Perraud at Liverpool and will return to the team while Jan Bednarek and Mohammed Salisu will retain their centre-back positions. In my opinion, Bednarek has been well off it this season and Lyanco is probably more deserving of another start, while Jack Stephens’ return from injury is also imminent.

Jan Bednarek has been off the pace during the 2021-22 campaign (Pic: PA)

Midfielders

After his comments post-match at Anfield, there is no doubt that Hasenhuttl will return to the 4-2-2-2 shape. Skipper James Ward-Prowse will partner Oriol Romeu again, both mainstays anyway but perhaps further confirmed by Ibrahima Diallo twisting his ankle pre-Liverpool – albeit still available.

As for the 10s, Nathan Redmond returned from the bench and will likely get his starting place back against Leicester while Moi Elyounoussi missed out at Anfield due to his partner giving birth and so his body will be well rested for a return if available.

Winger Moi Elyounoussi was a late absentee at Anfield (Pic: Stuart Martin)

Attackers

Che Adams has been substituted during the second-half of each of the last two indicating that Hasenhuttl thinks he’s tired and is trying to monitor his minutes after his international duty. However, I think he will still start and will be partnered by Adam Armstrong with that pairing securing both of Saints’ last two wins in the league between them. Armando Broja needs to work on his positioning and timing of his runs, but he will be a good option from the bench.

Armando Broja had Saints' best chance of the game versus Liverpool (Pic: PA)

Full predicted team

Southampton FC predicted team vs Leicester City in Premier League