- Southampton host Leicester City in the Premier League on Wednesday (7:30pm kick-off)
- BBC Radio Solent's Adam Blackmore has previewed the fixture for LCFC Radio
- Matchday Live begins on the Club's digital channels at 6pm on Wednesday
- Blackmore believes Ché Adams and Adam Armstrong make Saints a formidable opponent
The Foxes head to St. Mary's Stadium on Wednesday evening (7:30pm kick-off) looking to make it three wins in a row, while the Saints, by contrast, are looking to avoid a third successive defeat.
With a markedly younger squad than previous seasons, there's a freshness about Southampton's XIs this season as Ralph Hasenhüttl looks to secure a top-half finish in the Premier League, according to Blackmore. He was speaking to Matchday Live, a four-hour LCFC Radio show which begins at 6pm on Wednesday.
"Up until last week or so, I’d have said it was a really good start to the season, despite only having three games," he told presenter Dan Bates. "I think it’s the most balanced squad Southampton have probably had under Ralph Hasenhüttl in the last three years.
"They lost Jannik [Vestergaard], Ryan [Bertrand] and Danny [Ings] – three big, experienced players – and they’ve signed some young players.
"It’s now quite an exciting, young squad and there seems to be a good atmosphere. They’ve picked up some really good points. The 0-0 draws with Man City and West Ham were good. They didn’t win for seven games, but they were playing good football, which was encouraging.
"They then got wins against Leeds and Villa and Watford. Their season was up and running then. In the second half against Norwich and for 90 minutes against Liverpool, though, it felt like they just took a step back, especially in the Norwich game.
"They battered them for 45 minutes, didn’t take the lead, and then it went wrong in the second half. They need to pick themselves up for this Leicester game, no doubt."
Setting targets is a difficult task for Saints supporters as they've both competed for European qualification and battled against relegation over previous seasons. After finishing 15th last term, Blackmore believes looking towards the top half would be an achievement for Hasenhüttl's side.
"I would say they need to be at the top of the clubs in the bottom half of the table," he added. "Let’s be honest, while Leicester aim for fourth under Brendan Rodgers and would like European football, Saints finishing 10th be a similar achievement for them.
"I’m looking at that, an improvement season on season, that’s what you want. I think they’ve got a good foundation with a good young squad this season to do that. They need to win more games, so we’ll see how they go, but I’m not panicking about it."
While Adams was signed from Birmingham City in 2019, Armstrong is a new recruit at St. Mary's Stadium, after netting 29 times in all competitions for Sky Bet Championship outfit Blackburn Rovers in 2020/21. Although yet to fully start firing at a higher level, Blackmore levels it's a matter of time.
With Armando Broja also an attacking option, the BBC Radio Solent reporter says Hasenhüttl has plenty to think about when selecting his line-ups.
"I like them both," he explained. "I’ve always liked Ché Adams because he’s such a worker, a grafter. He’s in really good goalscoring form. He’s got five in his last seven and he’s scored for Scotland. That’s done him the world of good, playing international football. It’s given him a new level of confidence.
"He’s got a good touch. Adam Armstrong, we really like. He’s very similar to Danny Ings. He’s got a lot of speed over a short distance around the penalty area. He’s got good feet and is positive. I think he’ll get goals.
"A natural goalscorer will score goals whatever you level you throw them in if they’re given the circumstances. I think he will get goals. He’s got one goal and two assists in his last three games, so he’s just picking up, after scoring a great goal at Everton on the opening day.
"They are starting to look quite good together. Then you’ve got Armando Broja, who’s an unknown quantity for everyone, who has actually got a lot of talent. He gives them something different. I have to say, they’re an interesting bunch."
All times GMT.