Leicester City predicted XI as Steve Cooper faces big decision

Fielding Wilfred Ndidi in the attacking midfield role instinctively feels like a defensive move. But it may be the right one for getting three points against Southampton this weekend.

Ndidi has started every Premier League game this season, but has flipped between operating as a number 10 and sitting deeper in his more traditional role. Last time out, when City claimed their first league win of the season against Bournemouth, he was in front of the back four, forming a partnership with Oliver Skipp as Harry Winks was dropped.

But there is an argument for moving him forward again, even if it may not be popular. Against a winless Southampton side in a potentially crucial match at the bottom, it would feel like an inherently negative selection, one that’s focused on stopping the Saints scoring rather than looking to attack.

There will be plenty of fans hoping Abdul Fatawu gets back into the team and that Cooper starts the Ghanaian with Facundo Buonanotte and Stephy Mavididi in the same match for the first time. It would be exciting. Playing Ndidi as part of the front four has drawn ire at times and would be much more unpopular. But it may be the right call for this weekend’s match.

Against Crystal Palace in particular, Ndidi showed how effective he can be at pressing from the front. In the first half, City created opportunities because he won tackles, made interceptions or charged down clearances high up the pitch. It led to the first goal for Jamie Vardy too.

That looks to be an area to exploit against Southampton. Normally, when a possession-dominating team gets promoted from the Championship, they can struggle to keep the ball quite as well in the Premier League. That’s not been the case for the Saints, who had the fifth biggest share of possession in the division so far.

However, they have struggled to do much with it. Lots of their play is confined to their back-line as they find it difficult to connect with the midfield and attack and move the ball into more threatening areas. They’ve completed the fourth-highest tally of passes so far this season, but rank only 12th for progressive passes. Their centre-back Jan Bednarek has had more touches of the ball than any other player in the division.

They also make mistakes. Their commitment to playing out from the back has proven costly at times. Their tally of 10 errors leading to shots is three more than any other side, with teams capitalising on their wobbles when trying to pass out from the defence. Brentford did that especially well back in August, with their first two goals coming from high turnovers.

If Southampton are going to have the ball in their defensive line, City may be best fielding the players that can disrupt that. While Ndidi may not possess some of the qualities of many of City’s more naturally-attacking options – albeit he ranks only behind Bukayo Saka and Cole Palmer for assists this season – he is their best profile for defending from the front.

Jordan Ayew, who played in the number 10 slot against Bournemouth, is also seen as a more defensive option and is decent at pressing, but his qualities are principally in winning free-kicks and keeping the ball up the pitch, so as to limit the territory the opposition enjoy.

City will also hope that Buonanotte returns from international duty without fatigue. The teenager was an unused substitute for both of Argentina’s games, so he shouldn’t be short on energy, but he is having to travel a lot and is not expected to be back in training with City until Friday.

But if Buonanotte is fit to play, then he would be the obvious option on the right side as the inverted winger. He’s shown himself to be terrier-like in his pressing, while he is also excellent at carrying the ball forward and making himself a threat in the final third.

With Jamie Vardy and Mavididi as well, City should have a front four that can hurt Southampton and get them goals. That’s even if, at face value, it might look a little defensive.

Predicted City XI (4-2-3-1): Hermansen; Justin, Faes, Okoli, Kristiansen; Winks, Skipp; Buonanotte, Ndidi, Mavididi; Vardy.