Steve Cooper will have spent the international break meticulously analysing Southampton ahead of Leicester City travelling to St Mary’s on Saturday.
Steve Cooper secured his first Premier League win as Leicester City manager at the seventh attempt as a Facundo Buonanotte strike saw the Foxes 1-0 winners against Bournemouth last match.
The international break has stopped Leicester building any momentum but they have a chance to secure back-to-back wins as they face Southampton at the weekend.
The Saints are yet to win since promotion to the top flight and have just one point from their seven league matches so Leicester should be confident going into the game.
The fact Cooper has had a fortnight to prepare for the fixture means he should know Russell Martin’s team inside out and he should now unleash a lesser spotted star to exploit a Southampton weakness.
Abdul Fatawu should start for Leicester City against Southampton
Abdul Fatawu quickly became a fan favourite at Leicester on loan last season before making the move permanent from Sporting in the summer.
The 20-year-old winger’s endless enthusiasm and desire to beat his full-back make him a really exciting watch and Cooper should consider handing Fatawu a return against Southampton.
Southampton are yet to keep a clean sheet this season and have conceded 15 goals in seven league matches, with left-back proving a problem position for Martin.
So far, right-footed Kyle Walker-Peters has played there, as well as Charlie Taylor, and last time out Ryan Manning came in for a first taste of action of the season as Southampton lost 3-1 to Arsenal.
Leicester can capitalise on the uncertainty at left-back by unleashing Fatawu to wreak havoc against whichever player the Saints decide to play the role at St Mary’s.
Cooper must trust Fatawu to play with Stephy Mavididi
Fatatwu and Stephy Mavididi provided Leicester with real threat from both flanks in the Championship last season but Cooper has been reluctant to play the two together this campaign.
Fatawu started the season in the side, whilst Mavididi has been in the team recently having scored twice since being brought in.
The two wingers play on different sides but Cooper prefers to use one of his wingers as more of a number ten whilst the other stays wide and he does not feel this suits playing Fatawu and Mavididi together.
Jordan Ayew is one player who has played instead of Fatawu and described his compatriot as ‘outstanding’ after signing from Crystal Palace in the summer.
However, against a Saints side low on confidence Cooper should take the handbrake off and play the pair together to really take the game to Southampton.