Resurgent Leicester City host Southampton at the King Power Stadium on Saturday hoping to pick up another victory in what is proving a great escape from relegation.
However, the Saints' season is anything but over as Ronald Koeman's side look to end a three-game winless streak and get their Europa League bid back on track.
Leicester City
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Leicester have come a long way in recent weeks, but they can ill afford to take their foot off the pedal as the race for Premier League survival hots up.
It has been a remarkable few weeks for Nigel Pearson's side, whose hopes of staying in the division were widely written off in March after seven points separated them from safety.
However, five wins from their last six has silenced their doubters - but losing to Southampton could be the catalyst for another slump at the worst possible time.
With two games left, dropping points at this stage would represent a crushing blow and it remains to be seen if Pearson could pick them up again for back-to-back six-pointers with Sunderland and Queens Park Rangers in their final fixtures.
Last week's resounding 3-0 win over Newcastle United will have solidified the collective belief that survival is on the cards, despite the Magpies being markedly under-par on the day.
The home fans at the King Power had a significant impact on that result, providing a frenzied atmosphere from the first minute, and Pearson will call on them again this Saturday as the great escape goes on.
Recent form: WWWLWW
Southampton
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It has been a season littered with positives for Southampton but their recent results threatens to derail their bid for European football and spoil an immensely encouraging campaign.
It seems a long time ago that Koeman's charges were threatening to breach the top four and secure Champions League qualification.
At one point in February the Saints sat second in the table behind Chelsea, but three wins in their last 11 games has scuppered the top-four dream.
Still, Europa League qualification is very much on the cards as Koeman's side sit four points adrift of fifth-placed Liverpool and one behind Tottenham Hotspur in sixth, but their form does not inspire confidence that the South Coast side can salvage a spot in Europe's secondary competition.
In his pre-match press conference, Koeman insisted that qualifying for the Europa League was enough incentive from which his players can draw motivation, but his words betray his side's actions of recent weeks.
Without a win in nearly a month, Southampton come into this one on the back of a 2-1 defeat at relegation-threatened Sunderland - a team whom they beat 8-0 in the reverse fixture - having previously drawn 2-2 with Spurs and lost 2-1 away to Stoke City.
They are still playing catch-up in the race for European football, but with a trip to Manchester City on the final day, either side of hosting Aston Villa, dropping points at Leicester is not an option if they are serious about playing on the continent next term.
Recent form: WLWLDL
Team News
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Pearson has been boosted by the news that David Nugent is back in contention to face Southampton. The striker has missed the last four games with a calf problem but Pearson says that the veteran may be involved at the weekend.
In contrast, Andy King, suffering from the same problem, is likely to miss out again after picking up the knock against Chelsea last week.
Pearson added that Ulloa and defender Marcin Wasilewski should be fit, having picked up a "few bumps and bruises".
Koeman has the same squad at his disposal from last week's defeat at Sunderland, with the exception of James Ward-Prowse, who is suspended.
Morgan Schneiderlin, currently sidelined with a knee injury, could return in time for their last two games but Saturday comes too soon for the Frenchman.
There was also positive injury news on Emmanuel Mayuka and Jay Rodriguez, although the duo will not be involved at the King Power, but Dusan Tadic may miss the rest of the season.
Leicester possible starting lineup:
Schmeichel; Wasilewski, Huth, Morgan; Albrighton, James, Cambiasso, Schlupp, Mahrez; Vardy, Ulloa
Southampton possible starting lineup:
Davis; Clyne, Fonte, Yoshida, Bertrand; Alderweireld, Wanyama; Davis, Mane, Long; Pelle
Head To Head
Leicester have won just nine of the last 35 meetings between the sides in all competitions - two of which came in the Championship during the 2011-12 campaign, which saw City do the double over them.
Southampton won the reverse fixture 2-0 back in October and Saturday will see them bid for their first away victory since 2006.
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Hit play below to see what the Sports Mole Sofa had to say about this encounter:
We say: Leicester 2-1 Southampton
Southampton's season is in real danger of petering out, having failed to win any of their last three, and we reckon that Leicester will take another big step toward safety with a narrow win at the King Power.
Shane Callaghan
