Southampton v Leicester City: Premier League betting preview, free tip & TV

Football tips, best bets and predictions for Southampton v Leicester City in the Premier League.

Where to watch

Sky Sports Premier League & Main Event, 8pm Friday

Best bet

Both teams to score & over 2.5 goals
1pt 6-5 Sky Bet

Team news

Southampton
Cedric Soares and Moussa Djenepo are both sidelined for the Saints.

Leicester City
Matty James is a long-term absentee but Brendan Rodgers confirmed Jamie Vardy is fit for the trip to Southampton.

Match preview

Form favours Leicester City in their Premier League clash with Southampton but there could be more cunning punting strategies than backing the Foxes to bag three points.

The visitors can move above Manchester City into second place with victory on the south coast and they are no bigger than 4-7 to finish in the top six after winning five of their opening nine matches.

But they have managed only three wins in their previous 12 away league games and were arguably fortunate to edge Burnley 2-1 last time out.

Defensive deficiencies have cost them away from the King Power and they have kept only one clean sheet since the opening day of the season.

The Midlands side lost the last meeting between the teams 2-1 in January despite amassing 72 per cent possession and winning the shot count 23-8. Southampton's counter-attacking quality suggests backing goals and swerving the result market could be the way to go.

Both teams have scored in 18 of Southampton's last 19 league games at St Mary's and expected goals figures show they are creating more chances than their goal tally implies.

They have netted nine goals in the league - 4.64 fewer than their expected goals for - and the open nature of Leicester under Brendan Rodgers should present them with goalscoring opportunities.

Both teams have netted in three of Leicester's last four away matches in the Premier League and, while they have been porous at the back, they have been boosted by James Maddison overcoming an ankle injury.

The former Norwich forward was on target in Leicester's last away match and can contribute to a match which should kick off the Premier League's weekend programme with a bang.

Key stat

Southampton have scored in 11 of their last 12 matches in all competitions.

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