Southampton keeper Alex McCarthy back in training ahead of Leicester City clash on Saturday
Ralph Hasenhuttl has received a boost ahead of his side’s clash with Leicester City, as shot-stopper Alex McCarthy has returned to training.
Last Updated: January 14, 2021 2:51 pm
Alex McCarthy back
Southampton have received a huge boost ahead of their European qualification showdown with Leicester City on Saturday, after it was confirmed that goalkeeper Alex McCarthy has returned to training following a period of self isolation.
Southampton have been boosted by the return of goalkeeper Alex McCarthy as he prepares for Saturday’s clash with Leicester City.https://t.co/NYggGX1I8p#SaintsFC
— Ben Dinnery (@BenDinnery) January 13, 2021
McCarthy has been one of the best keepers in the Premier League this season, managing to keep 7 clean sheets. Whilst the England international was isolating, Ralph Hasenhuttl was forced into utilising Fraser Forster for the match against Liverpool. The former Celtic man, though, enjoyed an excellent display, and kept a clean sheet in a 1-0 win over the champions.
On the back of the clash, Hasenhuttl spoke of his happiness at having such a fantastic backup at his disposal:
“It shows how good the guys are working with the goalkeeper coach and how strong they have developed every part of their game so far,” said the Southampton boss.
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 23: Fraser Forster of Southampton gives his eam instructions during the Premier League match between Southampton and Huddersfield Town at St Mary’s Stadium on December 23, 2017 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
“I think this is a good signal for us that we immediately have a ‘number one B’ that steps in and plays a fantastic game. A clean sheet against Liverpool in the first game, this is fantastic for us.”
It will be intriguing to see which goalkeeper Hasenhuttl opts for versus Leicester, but, based on his comments in referring to Forster as plan ‘B’, if McCarthy is fit, he will likely start.
Defensive security
Southampton currently have the joint-4th best defensive record in the Premier League, and one which is better than all of the top-4 clubs this season. Ralph Hasenhuttl has been able to instil an aura of confidence, solidity and and determination, which has allowed his side to establish themselves as contenders for a European spot.
The former RB Leipzig coach recently spoke of the importance of maintaining possession, and keeping the opponent moving:
“Absolutely,” he said when asked if his side’s defensive record is of importance. “I was always very, very angry about our not consistent defending because we are definitely one of the better organised teams in this league and still concede so many goals.
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 13: Che Adams of Southampton celebrates with teammates Jannik Vestergaard, Danny Ings and Theo Walcott after scoring their team’s first goal during the Premier League match between Southampton and Sheffield United at St Mary’s Stadium on December 13, 2020 in Southampton, England. A limited number of spectators (2000) are welcomed back to stadiums to watch elite football across England. This was following easing of restrictions on spectators in tiers one and two areas only. (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images)
“As strange as it sounds, the way we try to play with the ball now is our fundament of not conceding so many goals, because we have more possession.
“The opponent has to run more to get the ball back. That also kills you and makes you a little bit more tired, so you are not so clinical when you have a chance. That makes it easier to defend for us. The whole package is a more successful one.”
Their meeting with Leicester City at the weekend will be another test for Southampton, with the likes of Jamie Vardy, James Maddison and Harvey Barnes all no doubt readying their best efforts to break down the stubborn Saints back line.
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This article was edited by Conor Laird.
Football Live streaming: Featured matches on January 27, 2020
| Game | Time | Predicted Score | Live Score Prediction/Live Score | How to Watch |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Brighton & Hove Albion FC vs Fulham FC | 45' | 1-0 | 0-0 | |
| Everton FC vs Leicester City FC | 15' | 1-0 | 0-0 | |
| Manchester United FC vs Sheffield United FC | 16' | 2-0 | 0-0 | |
 Celtic Glasgow vs Hamilton Academical FC | 45' | 4-0 | 1-0 | |
| Hibernian FC vs Glasgow Rangers | 45' | 0-3 | 0-0 |
Southampton betting odds, next game:
Southampton vs Aston Villa odds: result, both teams to score, correct score & goalscorers
| Southampton vs Aston Villa Result/Both teams score | Yes | No |
|---|---|---|
| Southampton | 7/2 | 4/1 |
| Aston Villa | 7/2 | 4/1 |
| Draw | 10/3 | 12/1 |
| Southampton vs Aston Villa Goalscorers | First | Last | Anytime |
|---|---|---|---|
| Danny Ings | 6/4 | 6/4 | 10/11 |
| Ollie Watkins | 12/5 | 12/5 | 6/4 |
| Daniel N'Lundulu | 11/4 | 11/4 | 7/4 |
| Che Adams | 3/1 | 3/1 | 2/1 |
| Keinan Davis | 10/3 | 10/3 | 21/10 |
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| # | Team | MP | D | P |
| 1 | Manchester City FC | 19 | 23 | 41 |
| 2 | Manchester United FC | 19 | 11 | 40 |
| 3 | Leicester City FC | 19 | 14 | 38 |
| 4 | West Ham United FC | 20 | 6 | 35 |
| 5 | Liverpool FC | 19 | 15 | 34 |
| 6 | Tottenham Hotspur FC | 18 | 16 | 33 |
| 7 | Everton FC | 17 | 7 | 32 |
| 8 | Arsenal FC | 20 | 6 | 30 |
| 9 | Aston Villa FC | 17 | 13 | 29 |
| 10 | Chelsea FC | 19 | 10 | 29 |
| 11 | Southampton FC | 19 | 3 | 29 |
| 12 | Leeds United | 19 | -3 | 26 |
| 13 | Crystal Palace FC | 20 | -12 | 23 |
| 14 | Wolverhampton Wanderers FC | 19 | -8 | 22 |
| 15 | Burnley FC | 18 | -12 | 19 |
| 16 | Newcastle United FC | 20 | -15 | 19 |
| 17 | Brighton & Hove Albion FC | 19 | -7 | 17 |
| 18 | Fulham FC | 18 | -12 | 12 |
| 19 | West Bromwich Albion | 20 | -33 | 11 |
| 20 | Sheffield United FC | 19 | -22 | 5 |
| Player | Team | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| Salah, Mohamed | Liverpool FC | 13 |
| Kane, Harry | Tottenham Hotspur FC | 12 |
| Son, Heung Min | Tottenham Hotspur FC | 12 |
| Fernandes, Bruno | Manchester United FC | 11 |
| Vardy, Jamie | Leicester City FC | 11 |
| Calvert-Lewin, Dominic | Everton FC | 11 |
| Bamford, Patrick | Leeds United | 10 |
| Zaha, Wilfried | Crystal Palace FC | 9 |
| Wilson, Callum | Newcastle United FC | 8 |
| Watkins, Ollie | Aston Villa FC | 8 |
| Lacazette, Alexandre | Arsenal FC | 8 |
| Rashford, Marcus | Manchester United FC | 7 |
| Ings, Danny | Southampton FC | 7 |
| Maupay, Neal | Brighton & Hove Albion FC | 7 |
| Gundogan, Ilkay | Manchester City FC | 7 |
| Soucek, Tomas | West Ham United FC | 7 |
| Grealish, Jack | Aston Villa FC | 6 |
| Sterling, Raheem | Manchester City FC | 6 |
| Mane, Sadio | Liverpool FC | 6 |
| Maddison, James | Leicester City FC | 6 |
| Player | Team | Red Cards | Yellow Cards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bellerin, Hector | Arsenal FC | 0 | 7 |
| Gallagher, Conor | West Bromwich Albion | 0 | 6 |
| Bissouma, Yves | Brighton & Hove Albion FC | 1 | 5 |
| Egan, John | Sheffield United FC | 1 | 5 |
| Hayden, Isaac | Newcastle United FC | 0 | 6 |
| McGinn, John | Aston Villa FC | 0 | 5 |
| Reid, Bobby | Fulham FC | 0 | 5 |
| Doucoure, Abdoulaye | Everton FC | 0 | 5 |
| Romeu, Oriol | Southampton FC | 0 | 5 |
| Dunk, Lewis | Brighton & Hove Albion FC | 1 | 4 |
| Phillips, Kalvin | Leeds United | 0 | 5 |
| Cash, Matty | Aston Villa FC | 0 | 5 |
| Evans, Jonny | Leicester City FC | 0 | 5 |
| Lundstram, John | Sheffield United FC | 1 | 4 |
| Kante, N`Golo | Chelsea FC | 0 | 5 |
| Milivojevic, Luka | Crystal Palace FC | 1 | 4 |
| Fernandes, Bruno | Manchester United FC | 0 | 4 |
| Grealish, Jack | Aston Villa FC | 0 | 4 |
| Ward-Prowse, James | Southampton FC | 0 | 4 |
| Tielemans, Youri | Leicester City FC | 0 | 4 |
| Player | Team | Assists |
|---|---|---|
| Kane, Harry | Tottenham Hotspur FC | 11 |
| De Bruyne, Kevin | Manchester City FC | 9 |
| Grealish, Jack | Aston Villa FC | 8 |
| Fernandes, Bruno | Manchester United FC | 7 |
| Son, Heung Min | Tottenham Hotspur FC | 6 |
| Rashford, Marcus | Manchester United FC | 5 |
| Ward-Prowse, James | Southampton FC | 5 |
| Robertson, Andrew | Liverpool FC | 5 |
| Cresswell, Aaron | West Ham United FC | 5 |
| Digne, Lucas | Everton FC | 5 |
| Vardy, Jamie | Leicester City FC | 4 |
| Sterling, Raheem | Manchester City FC | 4 |
| Werner, Timo | Chelsea FC | 4 |
| Adams, Che | Southampton FC | 4 |
| Harrison, Jack | Leeds United | 4 |
| Chilwell, Benjamin | Chelsea FC | 4 |
| McGinn, John | Aston Villa FC | 4 |
| Salah, Mohamed | Liverpool FC | 3 |
| Wilson, Callum | Newcastle United FC | 3 |
| Ings, Danny | Southampton FC | 3 |
