Southampton have held Leicester City to a goalless draw in Sunday afternoon's Premier League clash at the King Power Stadium.
The match proved evenly balanced, with Charlie Austin hitting the post for the Saints in the first half before Jamie Vardy had an effort cleared off the line.
Chances were harder to come by in the second period, but Austin could have won in for the visitors just after the hour mark when he went clean through on goal, only to be denied by Kasper Schmeichel.
Find out how the action unfolded with our minute-by-minute text commentary below.
Good afternoon and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of the Premier League meeting between champions Leicester City and Southampton. Kickoff is just under an hour away, but we'll have plenty of pre-match build-up for you between now and then, starting with today's team news.
LEICESTER XI: Schmeichel; Simpson, Morgan, Huth, Fuchs; Mahrez, Amartey, Drinkwater, Albrighton; Slimani, Vardy
Subs: Hernandez, King, Schlupp, Okazaki, Zieler, Gray, Ulloa
Subs: Hernandez, King, Schlupp, Okazaki, Zieler, Gray, Ulloa
SOUTHAMPTON XI: Forster; Soares, Fonte, Van Dijk, Bertrand; Romeu, Hojbjerg, Davis, Tadic; Redmond, Austin
Subs: Yoshida, Clasie, Long, McCarthy, Martina, Ward-Prowse, Olomola
Subs: Yoshida, Clasie, Long, McCarthy, Martina, Ward-Prowse, Olomola
Both sides have made minimal changes from their last Premier League outing, with the Saints naming the same starting XI that faced West Ham United, and Leicester's only change from their drubbing at Manchester United being the return of Kasper Schmeichel between the sticks. Ron-Robert Zieler drops to the bench.
However, Southampton boss Claude Puel has made a number of changes from their midweek European outing, recalling key players including Charlie Austin, Jose Fonte, Steven Davis and Ryan Bertrand.
The Foxes were also in European action, recording an historic 1-0 win over Porto during the week. The big news in this regard is the return of Danny Simpson to their defence, alongside Morgan, Huth and Fuchs.
Both sides have named attacking line-ups, with Vardy and Slimani continuing what is shaping up to be an exciting partnership for the hosts, with support from out wide coming from Albrighton and Mahrez.
Meanwhile, Puel is certainly getting the best out of his target man Charlie Austin (pictured in action below), who is joined up front by Nathan Redmond. The ever dangerous Tadic will also be on hand to provide support from an advanced midfield role.
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Just one point separates these teams ahead of kickoff, but it's Southampton who are in the better form, with three victories from their last four matches. They've steadied the ship after a difficult start under Puel.
Although last season's unlikely champions Leicester have started this term slowly, already losing as many league games as they did throughout last season, it's important to look at things in context. They've pulled off some impressive feats in the Champions League and will be looking to build on their continental form today.
Moreover, their home form remains scintillating. They haven't lost at this ground since Arsenal beat them here more than a year ago and have only conceded once at the King Power this term - only Tottenham Hotspur can claim a superior defensive record.
PREDICTION: I'm going with a narrow 2-1 win for the hosts today. Charlie Austin is on fire and may find the net for the visitors, but Leicester's impressive home form coupled with the fact they've defeated the Saints on each of the last three times they've hosted them makes Ranieri's side deserved favourites.
Some pre-match comments from both camps coming up...
RANIERI: "We play a good team today, very confident, three wins in four. They have made changes, so we must be concentrated. We've talked about reacting well to our win on Tuesday, but it's one thing to talk, another to do. Time to be focused."
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PUEL: "I'm expecting Leicester to give us a hard game. They're very organised in defence and good on the counter-attack. They move into space quickly so it's important for us to win the early duels and play our game."
Of course, these two managers have past history, having come up against each other on several occasions in the French top flight. Interestingly, Ranieri won all three matches as Monaco manager against Puel's Nice in 2013-14 without letting in a goal.
While that makes an interesting footnote to today's encounter, Ranieri has been quick to downplay the significance of those past results. No doubt Puel would love to get one over on the Italian, though.
Just over five minutes to go until kickoff. Will Leicester manage to transfer that European magic to their domestic campaign, or will the Saints go marching on to a third win in a row? Stay tuned to find out.
KICKOFF! Leicester get the match underway, kicking from right to left in the first half.
It's an incredible atmosphere at the King Power Stadium as Leicester look to press immediately. Vardy chases a long ball down to the byline, but Van Dijk shepherds it out for a Saints goalkick.
Good defending from Robert Huth, who tangles with Dusan Tadic along the right flank. The Serbia international attempts to twist and turn to shake off his marker, but the Leicester man is having none of it, pressuring his opponent to run the ball out for a Foxes throw.
Riyad Mahrez hoists a low cross into the box where Jamie Vardy is lurking, but Virgil van Dijk shows good awareness, makes the interception and clears his lines. The Saints have been retaining possession and looking confident on the ball, but they need to remain wary of that Leicester counter-attack.
CHANCES! The first chance of the afternoon goes begging as Cedric Soares's low pass is fired over by Charlie Austin under pressure. Moments later, the Saints striker has the chance to make amends as Tadic's cross from wide on the right is inviting, but he fails to connect with a diving header.
OFF THE POST! Leicester's attempt to stage a swift counter led by Mahrez is snuffed out and the Saints quickly press at the other end. Austin gains possession in the area and goes for goal from the tightest of angles, beats Schmeichel, but his effort rattles the upright!
It's end-to-end action at the King Power, but Southampton are doing a lot more with the ball. They've preempted everything the Foxes have attempted on the break and look more than capable of penetrating their opponents' defence. Tadic and Austin are proving a real handful for the hosts.
Here's Austin's reaction after striking the post. That's as close as anyone has come to a goal this afternoon, but you get the impression the deadlock won't remain intact for much longer:
Next time, @chazaustin10! #saintsfc pic.twitter.com/QAvn0gzg3p — Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) October 2, 2016
There's concern for Saints fans as Soares was down on the ground receiving treatment for some time. He's back on his feet but looks in some discomfort. Cuco Martina is warming up on the touchline, waiting for the nod to replace his struggling teammate.
The pace has petered off after a frantic start and it's Southampton who are looking the more settled, although they've just had some defending to do as Albrighton's ball over the top needed a convincing clearance from Romeu.
Here's an action shot of Danny Simpson tangling with Austin, who came within inches of putting the Saints in front when his shot ricocheted off the post.
PICTURED: @dannysimpson tries to marshall Charlie Austin, who has hit the woodwork in the opening 20 minutes. Goalless. #LeiSou pic.twitter.com/NdR4YzBgQ0 — Leicester City (@LCFC) October 2, 2016
SUBSTITUTION: Soares has left the field now and Martina is indeed his replacement. Puel gave Soares the chance to run off that knock, but he continued to struggle. That's worrying for the Saints boss.
CHANCES! Oh my word! How did Leicester fail to punish Southampton there? Van Dijk's poor backpass allows Jamie Vardy clean through on goal. The striker rounds the keeper but his shot is blocked on the line by Romeu, who does superbly to also thwart Slimani on the follow-up!
Leicester City should really be in front as a result of that Vardy chance, but you have to credit Southampton for the way they dealt with the threat. Romeu double underlined the value of holding midfielders with his contribution there.
Southampton haven't let the pressure phase them. They're back on the front foot as Tadic plays a corner into the six-yard box towards Van Dijk, but the Dutchman can't get up high enough and the Foxes scramble the ball clear.
PENALTY CLAIM! Romeu muscles Slimani off the ball in the penalty area and Leicester are calling for a penalty. There was contact but the Saints man got the ball - a good call by the official, who waves away the home side's protests.
Here's another action shot, this one showing a heart-in-month moment for Saints fans as Vardy rounds Forster, only to be denied on the line by Romeu.
PICTURED: @vardy7 has Saints scrambling, but the visitors survive a big first-half opening. 38mins 0-0. #LeiSou pic.twitter.com/JPBME2PBZU
— Leicester City (@LCFC) October 2, 2016
More pressure from the Saints as Tadic regains possession out wide following a corner. He beats his marker and plays a long ball towards the back post, but puts too much on it and gifts the Foxes a goalkick.
There will be two minutes of stoppage time in the first half.
Mahrez is given far too much space in the final third. He bears down on goal and lets fly with his left foot from the edge of the area, only to miss the target completely.
HALF TIME: Leicester City 0-0 Southampton
No goals here at the King Power Stadium so far, but it's been anything but dull. Both sides have created clear-cut chances and fought hard across the pitch.
The in-form Charlie Austin was unlucky not to break the deadlock early on when he struck the woodwork from a tight angle, while Leicester looked odds on to draw first blood when Vardy rounded the keeper, only for Romeu to come to the Saints' rescue.
With both sides showing ambitions to press their opponents and get physical in the box, we're in for a promising second half in a match which really could go either way.
There's just one other game going on in the Premier League right now and the scoreline is somewhat surprising at half time. Pep Guardiola's Manchester City are trailing 2-0 at Tottenham Hotspur and you can follow that game live here.
Earlier today, Manchester United were held to a 1-1 draw by Stoke City and there's more Premier League action to come as Burnley play host to Arsenal from 4.30pm.
KICK OFF: The Saints get the match back underway.
It's a promising start to the second half for Southampton as they waste no time forcing a corner. Steven Davis's cross is too high for any of his teammates and the Leicester defence clears its lines.
A long throw from Christian Fuchs causes some uncertainty in the Saints box as Forster hesitates before leaving the ball for Van Dijk to head clear, which he does convincingly.
Tadic whips a dangerous ball into the Leicester area from over on the right. He's looking for Redmond in front of goal, but the cross is too close to Kasper Schmeichel, who gathers gratefully.
BOOKING! Mahrez is carded for taking a free kick too quickly. The ref orders him to retake the set piece but his follow-up attempt comes to nothing as an offside flag goes up against Slimani.
It's a war of attrition here at the King Power Stadium, but both sides are operating more cautiously than in the first half. They're throwing men behind the ball and daring the opposition to bring the fight to them - I can see at least one of the managers changing things up soon.
No goals as we pass the hour mark, but here's an action shot of Amartey holding off Redmond - don't say we never give you anything:
PICTURED: @DanAmartey holds off Nathan Redmond. An hour played, no breakthrough yet. #LeiSou pic.twitter.com/QD80oGjKBH — Leicester City (@LCFC) October 2, 2016
CLOSE! The best chance of the second period goes begging as Austin picks up a loose ball and races clean through on goal. He tries a cheeky chip but Schmeichel anticipates it and stands tall to make the save!
SHOT! Danny Drinkwater powers through the Saints defence like a tank, leaving Romeu behind in the dust. He goes for goal from an acute angle but powers his shot into the side-netting.
This game has really come to life in the last few minutes and Ranieri is upping the ante with a double substitution, throwing on Gray and Okazaki for Albrighton and Vardy.
SHOT! Drinkwater tries his luck again, this time with a powerful half-volley from the edge of the area. It's well hit, but goes straight into the arms of Fraser Forster.
SUBSTITUTION: Puel is apparently confident that his side can force the issue here as he's just made an attacking change, throwing on striker Shane Long for Dusan Tadic.
Good defending from Jose Fonte, who uses his physicality to hold off the on-rushing Demarai Gray and prevent Leicester from forcing an opening. There have been one or two nervy moments at the back for the Saints, but they've been defensively solid for the most part.
CHANCES! Leicester pile on the pressure with two chances in quick succession. First Huth's glancing header from Fuchs's cross is palmed away by Forster, before Okazaki's diving header drops just wide of the upright, with the Saints goalkeeper grasping at air.
SUBSTITUTION: There's a like for like swap in attack for Leicester as Leonardo Ulloa comes on for Islam Slimani. The former has proven himself an effective impact player in the past. Can he make his mark on this game late on?
There's hesitancy at the back from Leicester as Shane Long attempts to flick the ball across the face of goal. Robert Huth eventually deals with the threat and puts the ball out for a corner, which Steven Davis squanders - the Foxes will restart play with a goalkick.
SUBSTITUTION: Southampton have made their final change and it's Ward-Prowse replacing Austin for the closing stages of the match.
There are some tired legs out there now. It has been a hard-fought contest, but the tempo has dropped off and the match looks destined to end goalless, unless with have a moment of madness or magic at the death.
There will be three minutes of stoppage time to play.
Southampton have put Leicester under the cosh in stoppage time here. James Ward-Prowse plays a ball across the face of goal, but Huth is there to scramble it away. Ulloa fires high and wide at the other end moments later and that will surely be the last kick of the game...
FULL TIME: Leicester City 0-0 Southampton
So there you have it, Southampton have held Premier League champions Leicester City to a goalless draw at the King Power Stadium. Both sides created chances in a close contest, but neither managed to dig deep enough to secure maximum points.
That result leaves Southampton in 10th place in the table, one point ahead of today's opponents, who climb one spot to 12th thanks to that draw. You can see how they stack up here.
And that's all we have time for here, but stick with Sports Mole for continued coverage of Sunday's Premier League matches. Many thanks for joining us!
Written by
Mark Langshaw
Mark Langshaw
