The coronation could be on for Leicester City. The Foxes won't be happy with a five-point lead in the Premier League, but especially if Tottenham loses at Liverpool on Saturday, they'll know that a win against Southampton on Sunday could effective wrap up the team's first top flight championship in its long history.
Soccer Odds at BookMaker.eu
Leicester City +115
Southampton +280
Draw +230
Over/Under 2.5 (under -140)
ODDS ANALYSIS
The Foxes might be sitting pretty for the EPL title, but that doesn't mean they're getting respected by the oddsmakers. Leicester City isn't even an odds-on favorite at home against a middling team on the table. It is though, the favorite at +115, and it's basically a 50/50 proposition as to whether it will get all three points at home or not.
Southampton is coming off of a miracle win over Liverpool, and that could bolster the side. That's why the club is only +280 on the moneyline.
The total of 2.5 and -140 vig on the under is a bit on the lower side.
KEY INJURIES
Andy King missed a couple matches with an illness, but he should be good to go after the international break. Leicester City's only other injury issue is to Matthew James, who hasn't played most of the season.
Southampton's injury woes are starting to mount. Charlie Austin, Florin Gardos and Jay Rodriguez are all question marks for this week's game at King Power.
QUOTE TO NOTE
"We know what is being said, but we've seen a lot happen in that final period. Look at us last season. Who would have thought we would stay in the league? I'm sure a lot of people would have said we were going down, and look at the turnaround we made. We have got to keep our feet on the ground. It is the old cliché, but it's true. It's kept us in good stead so far, so why change now?" – Leicester City winger Marc Albrighton on the run-in
RECENT FORM
The Foxes just keep finding ways to get the job done. The argument could be made that they weren't deserving of three points against either Watford, Newcastle or Crystal Palace in recent weeks, but all three duels were won, and those nine points could turn out to be crucial. Leicester City hasn't been beaten since February 14 at Arsenal.
Southampton has turned out two positive results in a row, first a 2-1 victory at Stoke City in which the team overcame a sloppy performance to steal three points on the road, then a 3-2 win over Liverpool in which the Saints were down 2-1 late on before swiping a pair of late shows to get the win.
ANALYSIS AND ODDS PREDICTION
Part of why Leicester City has been so successful in this odd Premier League season is because it hasn't had to worry about much outside of the domestic play. The Foxes didn't make any deep cup runs, they didn't have any European competitions to worry about, and they don't have a ton of players out on international duties. A week like this one where the team can continue to train for the most part because there aren't many stars out for international friendlies could be crucial.
Yes, Graziano Pelle is in fine form right now, and the Saints are finding the back of the net with vig, but the Leicester defense has been up to the challenge all year long. Robert Huth has been tremendous in central defense, and both Christian Fuchs and Wes Morgan have played incredibly well, too.
We wouldn't blame Soton for going forward in this one, knowing that three points is the only result which will truly help get it towards the top four, but we don't think it'll matter. Leicester just has magic in its blood right now, and with the temperature at the King Power rising, we suspect that hosts will once again come up with the late theatrics to steal three more points.
Leicester City 2, Southampton 1
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