Russell Martin is preparing his Southampton squad for a huge game against Leicester City in the Premier League on Saturday.
Southampton have had five players away on international duty during the current break, meaning Russell Martin has had the bulk of his squad to work with ahead of the St Mary’s clash.
A first Premier League win of the season remains elusive for Southampton after seven games, whilst Leicester secured a first victory of their own against Bournemouth last match.
Martin is under a lot of pressure after Southampton’s dismal start and history is not on his side ahead of the Leicester game.
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Southampton’s poor recent record against Leicester City
Southampton were competing with Leicester for automatic promotion from the Championship for most of last season before ultimately having to settle for the play-offs.
Leicester won both of the matches between the two sides last campaign in emphatic fashion with 4-1 and 5-0 wins.
That could play its part psychologically on Saturday and Southampton’s record against Leicester is very poor.
Southampton have won just three of the last 11 meetings in all competitions dating back to the fateful 9-0 loss in October 2019.
The Saints did do the double over Leicester on the 2022/23 season despite finishing rock bottom of the Premier League, with the other win being a cathartic one later in the same season as the 9-0 drubbing.
Russell Martin needs Southampton win vs Leicester
Martin will have to overcome this poor record to secure a win over Leicester on Saturday or he could well find himself out of a job.
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Southampton’s next league match after Leicester is an away trip to Manchester City which makes three points this weekend all the more vital.
It does not get any tougher than City away in the Premier League and the Southampton players could really do with a confidence boosting win going into that fixture.