Not the sparkling start that their respective coaches, Brendan Rodgers and Ralph Hasenhuttl, dreamed of. One point apiece in the first two league rounds for Leicester and Southampton, a haul in line with last season’s ‘decadent’ finish. The Foxes debuted with a home draw with Brentford (2-2) but were completely wrecked at the Emirates Stadium against Arsenal, overwhelmed by the Gunners’ fury (and especially by former City man Gabriel Jesus, literally unleashed). Rodgers sketches and hopes for a jolt from the club in the market: Leicester, in fact, give the feeling of having weakened further despite – for now – having managed to keep all the best, from Maddison to Vardy passing through Tielemans and Fofana.
For both the main problem is undoubtedly the non-possession phase. The numbers make it clear: in 180 minutes they conceded the same number of goals, six in total. The Saints’ rearguard, which was thrashed (4-1) on its debut by Conte’s Tottenham and pierced on two other occasions by Leeds (2-2) in the first match played by Ward-Prowse and his team-mates at St. Mary’s Stadium last Saturday, also needs to be reviewed.
Ward-Prowse ©️Ansafoto
The Prediction
Both have an obligation to redeem a disappointing start. Leicester have a chance to get back to racking up points as they face Chelsea and Manchester United in the coming days. There will almost certainly be no shortage of goals, however: their respective defences have been far from invulnerable, and in all likelihood they won’t be able to keep their goals unbroken this time either.
Leicester v Southampton matchday squad
LEICESTER (3-4-2-1): Ward; Fofana, Evans, Soyuncu; Castagne, Tielemans, Ndidi, Justin; Maddison, Iheanacho; Vardy.
SOUTHAMPTON (3-4-2-1): Bazunu; Bella-Kotchap, Bednarek, Salisu; Walker-Peters, Ward-Prowse, Lavia, Djenepo; Armstrong, Aribo; Adams.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 2-1
