Leicester vs. Southampton Prediction, Match Preview, and Betting Tips, 3 May 2025 - bettingexpert
This Saturday, Leicester City will host Southampton at the King Power Stadium in a Premier League clash between the bottom two teams. Both sides have already been relegated, making this match a fight for pride and perhaps a slightly better finishing position. Leicester are currently 19th with 18 points, whereas Southampton sit in 20th with just 11 points. With the bookmakers tipping Leicester as the favorites for this encounter, their home advantage could play a crucial role.
Jamie Vardy, who recently announced his departure from Leicester after an illustrious career, will likely look to bow out on a high. The team has struggled in recent matches, leading to speculation about Ruud van Nistelrooy’s future as manager. Southampton, managed by Simon Rusk, are also under pressure, having failed to secure a win in their last five games.
Given their slight superiority and home advantage, the recommended bet is a Leicester win. An intense, high-pressure contest is expected at 15:00 on May 3, 2025.
Leicester vs Southampton Prediction & Betting Tip
Given the match facts and overall poor performances from both teams, the recommended bet for this clash is a Leicester win. Leicester, despite being in the 19th position, have the slight home advantage and have shown a somewhat better record compared to Southampton.
| Leicester vs Southampton Prediction | |
|---|---|
| Betting tip | Odds |
| Leicester to win | 2.26 |
- Home Advantage: Leicester playing at King Power Stadium offers them a slight edge.
- Comparative Performance: Leicester have accumulated more points than Southampton this season.
- Previous Encounters: Leicester have a strong head-to-head record against Southampton recently, winning 4 out of the last 5 matches.
With these factors in mind, a Leicester victory seems the most plausible outcome heading into Saturday’s match.
Leicester vs Southampton Odds
Looking ahead to this Premier League clash at the King Power Stadium, let’s delve into the bookmakers’ odds:
| Leicester vs Southampton Betting Odds | |
|---|---|
| Bet | Odds |
| Leicester | 2.26 |
| Draw | 3.58 |
| Southampton | 2.98 |
Leicester is the preferred team for this encounter, given their slight edge as the home side and a generally better record against Southampton in recent matches. Despite the uncertain times at both clubs, with relegation already confirmed, the fixture promises to be competitive. With a home win slightly favored, the odds reflect the marginally better form and historical advantage Leicester holds over Southampton.
Leicester Team Analysis
Leicester Recent Performance
Leicester City has had a rough spell lately, with their last five matches yielding no wins. Here’s a closer look at their recent performances:
| Home team | Away team | Date | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wolverhampton | Leicester | 2025-04-26 | Premier League | 0-3 (Loss) |
| Leicester | Liverpool | 2025-04-20 | Premier League | 0-1 (Loss) |
| Brighton | Leicester | 2025-04-12 | Premier League | 2-2 (Draw) |
| Leicester | Newcastle | 2025-04-07 | Premier League | 0-3 (Loss) |
| Manchester City | Leicester | 2025-04-02 | Premier League | 0-2 (Loss) |
Recent Form: LLDLL
In these five games, Leicester managed to score only two goals, averaging 0.4 goals per match. They also conceded 12 goals, averaging 2.1 goals against per match. Leicester hasn’t kept a clean sheet in their last five outings, which is a troubling stat for the Foxes. Leicester’s current form suggests they’ll need to dig deep and find resilience if they’re to end their season on a high note, despite their confirmed relegation.
Leicester Key Players
Leicester’s star striker Jamie Vardy will be keen to leave an indelible mark in his final games for the club. Despite their confirmed relegation, Vardy, the team’s top scorer with seven goals, remains pivotal for the Foxes. His movement and finishing will be crucial to breaking down a porous Southampton defense.
Another key player is Bilal El Khannouss, who has shown flashes of brilliance in midfield. His creativity and vision could make the difference in unlocking Southampton’s backline.
Expected lineup for Leicester:
- Goalkeeper: Jakub Stolarczyk
- Defenders: James Justin, Wout Faes, Conor Coady, Luke Thomas
- Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi, Boubakary Soumare, Jordan Ayew, Bilal El Khannouss, Patson Daka
- Striker: Jamie Vardy
Key individual battles to watch include Vardy against Southampton’s central defenders and El Khannouss in midfield skirmishes against Flynn Downes and Lesley Ugochukwu.
Leicester Suspensions & Injuries
Leicester City is grappling with several injuries that could impact their lineup against Southampton. Crucially, Jamie Vardy, their iconic striker, has announced his departure after this season, and while he’s fit for this match, his presence remains a significant boost. However, they have key players sidelined:
| Player | Injury | Expected return |
|---|---|---|
| Issahaku Fatawu | Cruciate ligament injury | Early August 2025 |
| Odsonne Edouard | Unknown | Doubtful |
| Stephy Mavididi | Muscle injury | Early June 2025 |
These injuries weaken Leicester’s squad depth and may force Ruud van Nistelrooy to rely heavily on untested or fringe players. The absence of regular starters like Fatawu and Edouard could strain their attacking and defensive options.
Leicester Tactics and Formation
Leicester City Tactical Breakdown:
- Formation: Expected to line up in a 4-2-3-1
- Goalkeeper: Jakub Stolarczyk is likely to start between the sticks.
- Defensive Line: James Justin, Wout Faes, Conor Coady, and Luke Thomas form the back four.
- Midfield Pivot: Wilfred Ndidi and Boubakary Soumare will operate as holding midfielders to provide defensive stability.
- Attacking Midfield Trio: Jordan Ayew (right wing), Bilal El Khannouss (attacking midfielder), and Patson Daka (left wing).
- Key Forward: Jamie Vardy, spearheading the attack, will be pivotal in creating and finishing chances.
Without Issahaku Fatawu and Odsonne Edouard, Leicester will rely on experienced players like Vardy and dynamic contributions from the midfield. Their pressing game and swift counter-attacks will be essential as they vie for a morale-boosting victory.
Southampton Team Analysis
Southampton Recent Performance
Recent Form: LDLLD
Southampton have struggled in their recent fixtures, showing an inconsistent pattern with just two points collected from their last five matches.
| Home team | Away team | Date | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southampton | Fulham | 2025-04-26 | Premier League | 1-2 (Loss) |
| West Ham | Southampton | 2025-04-19 | Premier League | 1-1 (Draw) |
| Southampton | Aston Villa | 2025-04-12 | Premier League | 0-3 (Loss) |
| Tottenham | Southampton | 2025-04-06 | Premier League | 3-1 (Loss) |
| Southampton | Crystal Palace | 2025-04-02 | Premier League | 1-1 (Draw) |
Southampton have been low on both goals and clean sheets, averaging just 0.80 goals per game while failing to keep any clean sheets in their last five fixtures. Their defence has been particularly porous, conceding an average of 2.4 goals per game over the course of the season.
Southampton Key Players
Expected lineup for Southampton:
- Goalkeeper: Aaron Ramsdale
- Defenders: Jack Stephens, Jan Bednarek, Taylor Harwood-Bellis
- Midfielders: Kyle Walker-Peters, Flynn Downes, Lesley Ugochukwu, Ryan Manning
- Forwards: Mateus Fernandes, Ross Stewart, Kamaldeen Sulemana
Southampton’s key players include their top scorer Paul Onuachu, though he is currently sidelined with an ankle injury. Aaron Ramsdale in goal will need to be at his best to handle Leicester’s attacks. Flynn Downes and Lesley Ugochukwu in midfield will be crucial in providing solidity and linking play.
Key individual battles include Ross Stewart, who will aim to challenge Leicester’s central defenders, and Kamaldeen Sulemana, whose pace could exploit Leicester’s defensive gaps.
Southampton Suspensions & Injuries
| Player | Injury | Expected return |
|---|---|---|
| Ryan Fraser | Physical discomfort | Late May 2025 |
| Albert Gronbaek | Strain injury | Doubtful |
| Charlie Taylor | Knock injury | Late May 2025 |
| Paul Onuachu | Ankle injury | Late May 2025 |
Southampton face a challenging match without key players. Top scorer Paul Onuachu is out with an ankle injury, reducing their attacking potency. Midfield dynamo Ryan Fraser will be missed due to physical discomfort, affecting the team’s linking play. Additionally, with Albert Gronbaek and Charlie Taylor also out, the squad depth will be tested. No suspensions for Southampton.
Southampton Tactics and Formation
Southampton’s Tactical Breakdown:
- Formation: 3-4-3
- Key Forward: Ross Stewart
- Wing Play: Kyle Walker-Peters and Ryan Manning as wide men
- Midfield Engine: Flynn Downes and Lesley Ugochukwu
Strategy:
- Utilizes a three-at-the-back system, aiming to create width with wing-backs.
- Defensive trio of Jack Stephens, Jan Bednarek, and Taylor Harwood-Bellis anchoring the backline.
- Looks to exploit their opponents in the wide areas, stretching the defense.
- Focuses on exploiting vulnerabilities late in the game, especially between 76-90 minutes.
Unfortunately, with top scorer Paul Onuachu out, Southampton may find it challenging to convert their chances.
Leicester vs Southampton Head-to-Head Statistics
| Home team | Away team | Date | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southampton | Leicester City | 2024-10-19 | Premier League | 2-3 (Loss) |
| Leicester City | Southampton | 2024-04-23 | Championship | 5-0 (Win) |
| Southampton | Leicester City | 2023-09-15 | Championship | 1-4 (Loss) |
| Southampton | Leicester City | 2023-03-04 | Premier League | 1-0 (Win) |
| Leicester City | Southampton | 2022-08-20 | Premier League | 1-2 (Loss) |
In their last five encounters, Leicester City have won three and lost two against Southampton.
The most recent clash saw Leicester triumph with a 3-2 victory at St. Mary’s Stadium in the Premier League.
In their Championship matches last season, Leicester dominated with convincing wins, outscoring Southampton 9-1 over both fixtures.
The head-to-head statistics highlight Leicester’s ability to perform well against Southampton, particularly in high-scoring games.
Odds accurate as of 05.01.2025 15:01, and are subject to change. Please always check the odds before placing your bets with any bookmaker.
