The Claude Puel Derby should be a good one. With Southampton entertaining for all the wrong reasons and Leicester trying to recover for a late European push, this should be an enticing game. Following the 2-1 loss to Burnley last weekend, can Leicester recover and get a positive result here?

Home News

When it comes to Leicester, the loss of Vicente Iborra and Kasper Schmeichel has been felt. With Schmeichel likely to miss out here, too, the return of midfield enforcer Wilfred Ndidi is very important. The Foxes are out of form a touch, with back-to-back losses in his absence. With his return, we should see them pick up some of the forceful nature that led them into the top half earlier in the season.

We’ll also likely see Marc Albrighton come back into the side, with Christian Fuchs pushing to get back into the team.

Away News

For Southampton, the loss of Jack Stephens on a suspension is a kick in the teeth. So, too, is the loss of Steven Davis and Mario Lemina; they are very short in the middle of the pitch. Mark Hughes will likely stick with three at the back in a bid to make up for the lack of midfield numbers (and quality) – Sofiane Boufal misses out, too, robbing them of a regular creative threat.

The sheer lack of depth in the Saints squad is being exposed in a big way at this moment in time. With so many injuries now adding up, it’s easy to see why they are a sure-fire choice for relegation.

Verdict

With the Saints conceding a whopping 3+ a game for four matches, we cannot see them getting anything up at Leicester. The Foxes might be struggling a touch, but they should have what it takes to get a positive result here. Southampton simply lack the quality to stay in the league at this moment in time; a loss here would more or less consign them to relegation. We suspect that will be the case.

In the Collect Totepool Winnings at Betfred Shops Handicap (5.25) at Southwell on Thursday, Irish import Da Capo Dandy has discovered the winning habit since joining James Ewart in February and can defy a 6lb penalty by completing a course and distance hat-trick. The daughter of high-class sprinter Dandy Man showed precious little at two, or three, for her previous trainer James Sheehan but, having been beaten off a handicap mark of 45 in a lowly 0-50 contest over a mile on her Fibresand debut last month, has won her last two starts over course and distance in the style of an improving sort.

How much improvement she has left in her is questionable, but her pedigree suggests that she could be better than a 57-rated sprinter, if her trainer can kind the key to her. Furthermore, she’s displayed a good, honest attitude in both races over 6 furlongs on Fibresand, despite drifting left in the closing stages on both occasions so, with winning jockey Liam Keniry in the saddle once again, she must have a decent chance of making it 3-4 at Southwell.

Selection: Southwell 5.25 Da Capo Dandy to win 9/4