Leicester City vs Southampton: A Double Header on the Horizon
Southampton manager Tonda Eckert isn’t letting a quick turnaround – facing Leicester City twice in five days – alter his team’s approach to Tuesday night’s Championship fixture. However, he acknowledges the potential impact on their FA Cup tie this Saturday.
The Saints travel to the King Power Stadium for the league match before hosting the Foxes at St Mary’s in the FA Cup. Eckert addressed the media, stating, “Maybe the second game [will be affected]. I think the first one, not so much.”
Analyzing the Opponent & Managerial Change
Eckert emphasized the need to analyze recent footage, particularly considering Leicester City’s recent managerial change. “Obviously, we need to watch a couple of images now with a change of manager just to get an idea if they have changed much because the last game was a red card after 15 minutes, so not too much to take away,” he explained. He believes the double-header is more strategically relevant for the FA Cup match on Saturday than the initial Championship encounter.
Team Selection and Rotation
Despite a recent 1-0 victory over Watford, Eckert anticipates changes to the starting lineup against Leicester. He highlighted the depth of the squad, stating, “I think the quality that we have at the moment is that we have a high availability. I think that we have so much quality that at the moment not starting games but are ready to and we might need some fresh legs on Tuesday just for the fact it’s a short break, two days only and it’s an away game.”
He added, “So let’s assess a couple of players over the next days but I would assume that we have a couple of changes in the starting eleven.” This suggests a focus on player fitness and managing fatigue during a busy schedule.
Southampton’s Championship Form
Currently 14th in the Championship table, Southampton are only four points outside the play-off positions. Their recent form has been impressive, with three wins and a draw in their last four games. This positive momentum will undoubtedly fuel their ambition as they head into these crucial matches against Leicester City.
Fans can expect a competitive and exciting series of games as both teams vie for success in both the Championship and the FA Cup. Keep an eye on Leicester City’s official website and Southampton’s official website for the latest updates.
