14 October 2021, 16:22 | 28 August 2021, 15:29
Southampton F.C. vs. Leeds United kicks off at 15:00 (GMT+1) on Saturday, October 16, at St. Mary’s Stadium. Referee David Coote will be in charge of this fixture while Dan Cook and Nick Hopton will give a helping hand. Lee Mason will have the luxury of sitting in the VAR room.
Preview Southampton Premier League, Oct 16, 2021
Preview Following the 3-1 defeat to the Blues on Matchday 7, the Saints look to bounce back to winning ways on Saturday when they take on the Peacocks. Trevoh Chalobah’s 9th-minute strike had Chelsea in the lead, but James Ward-Prowse (61’ P.) restored parity from the penalty spot after sending Benjamin Mendy in the wrong direction. Before the spot-kick, Romelu Lukaku and Timo Werner saw their goals chalked off. Minutes after the equalizer, the Southampton skipper was given the marching orders (R. 77’) for an excessive challenge on Jorginho after a prolonged VAR review. With the numerical disadvantage, the Saints crumbled, leaving the Blues to grab two late goals which condemned Southampton to back-to-back defeats: DDDLL. Without a win in five games, the Saints are left in 17th place, having picked up only 4 points after 0W, 4D, & 3L. A defeat to Leeds United would signal the second time in the club’s history that the Saints have failed to pick up a win in any of their opening eight league games since the 1998/99 season. Southampton are unable to convert in the final-third, having an average of 0.71 goals per game (5G, 7A). Having let in 10 goals (1.43 g.c.p.g.), Southampton have a G.D. of -5. Ralph Hasenhüttl’s 4—4—2 formation could see Stuart Armstrong and Redmond in attack once again. Che Adams could be unavailable after picking up a knock on international duty for Scotland. Sam McQueen is ruled out alongside Will Smallbone, while James Ward-Prowse is banned for the length of three games after the red card in the game against Chelsea. This will be the first time for Southampton in 103 Premier League appearances without the skipper.
Preview Leeds United Premier League, Oct 16, 2021
Preview The Peacocks are in 16th place on the Premier League table, having picked up 6 points from 1W, 3D, & 3L. The first victory (DLDLW) of the season came in the 1-0 win over Watford right before the international break. A win that was ultimately responsible for the dismissal of Watford’s Xisco Muñoz. Despite the victory, the unimpressive numbers at both ends of the pitch will continue to give Marcelo Bielsa headaches, as his side remains only three points above the bottom three. The familiar 4—1—4—1 formation is expected against Southampton on Saturday with Bamford in attack. With Kalvin Phillips, Raphinha, and Luke Ayling all possible absentees, Marcelo Bielsa could be forced to turn to unfamiliar faces for this game against the Saints.