FA Cup: Saints Have the Foxes Looking Over Their Shoulders

Southampton vs Leicester City

Southampton and Leicester City produced one of the most thrilling games we’ve had in England so far this season, and football fans might get another barnburner when these two sides meet in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Saturday as part of a rare back-to-back set.

In the Championship yesterday, the Saints came back from three goals down, scoring four second-half goals en route to a 4-3 win at the King Power Stadium. As a result, Southampton improved to ninth in the table with 46 points, while Leicester City dropped deeper into the relegation zone at 32 points. 

This weekend, Southampton will host Leicester City, and Tonda Eckert’s side is keen to make it two wins in a row, while Andy King’s men are out to vent their ire on their league rivals. 

 

Talking Points

Southampton could make key frontline change

Southampton produced a stunning second-half comeback to beat Leicester City last night, as head coach Tonda Eckert made bold lineup moves. After goals from Divine Mukasa, Patson Daka, and Fatawu Issahaku inside half an hour, Eckert brought in substitutes Shea Charles, Ross Stewart, and Kuryu Matsuki after the halftime break, which proved to be the difference.

Stewart scored the Saints’ first goal in the 61st minute, and they continued to push forward for the next 21 minutes. Jack Stephens scored the second with eight minutes left before Ryan Manning, who replaced defender Welington in the 73rd minute, scored the equaliser. Eckert also replaced defender James Bree for striker Cyle Larin late in the contest. 

Charles put the dagger in the Foxes’ hearts during the sixth minute of added time, as he played a neat one-two with Stewart before curling an outstanding ball past goalkeeper Asmir Begovic. The Saints are now just a few points off the play-off places as a result.

Given how they performed on Wednesday, Stewart and Charles could be inserted into the starting XI to replace Cameron Archer and Tom Fellows, joining Leo Scienza and Finn Azaz – the Saints’ top playmaker (six assists) and scorer (eight goals) in the final third. 

 

Fatawu will continue to take charge of Leicester City

After receiving a six-point deduction by the EFL last week for financial rule breaches, Leicester City have been cast into a relegation foxhole, and it doesn’t help that Southampton just denied Andy King his first win at the Foxes’ helm last night.

Leicester City have been heavily reliant on Fatawu Issahaku this season after loaning Jordan James to Rennes last September, and the Ghanaian forward already has eight goals and seven assists this season. With Bobby Decordova-Reid still serving his suspension, Divine Mukasa, Stephy Mavididi, and Patson Daka will remain with Issahaku in the final third.

But Mavididi could be the man to watch for Southampton, as he has contributed goals in all three of his FA Cup appearances for the Foxes. The Englishman notched a goal and an assist in their 2-0 third-round victory against Cheltenham.

 

History

With yesterday’s 4-3 victory, Southampton have completed a league double over Leicester City, following a 3-0 win in the reverse fixture last November. Last season, these two sides were in the Premier League, where the Foxes beat the Saints twice before they were both relegated to the Championship.

The difference between their recent forms couldn’t be more different. Southampton are undefeated in their last six games (D1) since their 4-0 loss against Middlesbrough last month, while Leicester City are winless in their last six (D1) since a 2-1 home triumph against West Brom last January.

Saturday marks the eighth FA Cup tie between the Saints and Foxes. Leicester City have progressed from seven of their last nine FA Cup fourth-round ties since 2014-15, though they lost to Manchester United at this juncture last season (2-1).

 

Betting Tip

The FA Cup 2026 odds predict the Saints sweeping their mini-series against the Foxes this week. Southampton are priced to win at 1.78, whereas a Leicester City victory is at 3.50, and a draw after 90 minutes is valued at 3.40 in the 1X2 market.

As shown in yesterday’s encounter, Southampton and Leicester City can produce new FA Cup 2026 highlights at St. Mary’s Stadium. Besides our recommended bet, SBOTOP punters may be tempted to add Over 2.50 at 1.60, First Half Over 1.00 at 1.66, and Total Goal 4-6 at 3.33 to the parlay. 

Moreover, a Correct Score of 4-3 in favour of the Saints seems like a long shot at 125.00. But the Correct Score of 3-0 seems more realistic, which is pegged at 18.00.

   

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