The St Mary’s Stadium hosts a high-stakes FA Cup Fourth Round tie this Saturday, February 14, 2026, as Southampton faces a Leicester City side in the midst of a full-blown crisis. Kick-off is set for 15:00 GMT.
While both sides find themselves in the Championship this season, their trajectories couldn't be more different. Southampton is surging toward the play-offs under their new permanent boss, while Leicester arrives on the south coast reeling from a points deduction, a managerial vacancy, and a threadbare squad.
Match Information
| Feature | Details |
| Competition | Emirates FA Cup (Fourth Round) |
| Date | Saturday, February 14, 2026 |
| Kick-off | 15:00 GMT / 10:00 ET |
| Venue | St Mary’s Stadium, Southampton |
| Referee | TBD |
| TV Channel | TNT Sports (UK) / ESPN+ (US) |
Southampton: The "Eckert" Effect
Since the appointment of former U21 coach Tonda Eckert as permanent manager in December, the Saints have been transformed. They enter this fixture on a five-match unbeaten run, including a clinical 3–0 victory over Leicester in their recent league meeting. With 14.2 attempts per match, Southampton’s aggressive, possession-heavy style has become their trademark.
Team News and Selection:
Larin’s Impact: New signing Cyle Larin is expected to start after netting the winner on his debut against Watford.
Injury Boost: Flynn Downes is nearing a return to fitness and could feature, though Samuel Edozie and Oriol Romeu remain sidelined.
The Leading Man: Adam Armstrong remains the primary threat, with 11 league goals already this campaign.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Peretz; Bree, Harwood-Bellis, Stephens, Welington; Jander, Downes; Fellows, Azaz, Scienza; Larin.
Leicester City: A Club in Turmoil
It has been a disastrous month for the Foxes. Following a six-point deduction for financial breaches and the sacking of Martí Cifuentes on January 25, interim boss Andy King is struggling to stop the rot. Leicester has lost four of its last five matches and is currently grappling with a massive injury and suspension list.
Team News and Selection:
Selection Crisis: Bobby De Cordova-Reid is suspended, and Joe Aribo is ineligible to face his parent club.
Injury Ward: The midfield is decimated with Hamza Choudhury, Jordan James, and Aaron Ramsey all out. Defensive stalwart Jannik Vestergaard is also a major doubt.
The Bright Spot: Abdul Fatawu (7 goals, 7 assists) remains the one player capable of creating something from nothing in this struggling side.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Stolarczyk; Pereira, Aluko, Nelson, Thomas; Winks, Page; Fatawu, Ayew, Mavididi; Daka.
? Head-to-Head (H2H) and Key Stats
Recent Dominance: Southampton cruised to a 3–0 win in the last meeting between these two in November 2025.
Defensive Woes: Leicester has shipped 47 goals this season, the joint-second most in the Championship.
Goal Streak: Both teams have scored in 77% of Leicester's recent matches, suggesting a high-scoring affair is on the cards.
Cup Pedigree: Both teams were recently Premier League staples, but Southampton’s home form (unbeaten in their last four at St Mary's) makes them clear favorites.
Tactical Preview and Prediction
Tonda Eckert will likely instruct Southampton to control the tempo from the start, utilizing Azaz and Fellows to exploit a Leicester backline that has looked fragile in transition. For Leicester, the strategy will be simple: survive. Andy King will look to park the bus and hope that Patson Daka or Abdul Fatawu can capitalize on a rare counter-attack.
Given Leicester’s lack of depth and the psychological blow of their recent points deduction, it is hard to see them overcoming a confident Southampton side in front of a packed St Mary's.
Final Score Prediction: Southampton 2–0 Leicester City
