Rodgers vs. Hasenhuttl: Performing well in transition and minimizing defensive errors are crucial for road to Wembley

The FA Cup semi-final will be the biggest match of the season so far for both Brendan Rodgers and Ralph Hasenhuttl. Given this seasons performances it is perhaps not a surprise to see Leicester reaching the semi-finals, but Southamptons form has been extremely poor for the last few months, which is in contrast to their strong finish to last season. Nevertheless, the Saints have managed to reach Wembley, beating Shrewsbury, Arsenal, Wolves and Bournemouth on the way without conceding a single goal and scoring eight. Leicester have had a slightly more difficult path, defeating Stoke City, Brentford, Brighton and Manchester United to make it to this stage. 

Both teams are coming into this game on the back of losses in their previous Premier League matches. Leicester lost 3-2 at West Ham, while Southampton were beaten 3-0 by West Bromwich Albion in a surprise result. It is even between these two sides in their last five meetings  both teams have won twice each, with a 0-0 draw in the Carabao Cup being their last match, which was won by Leicester City on penalties. Therefore, this semi-final could be quite close, despite the form book suggesting that the Foxes should be able to progress easily. This tactical analysis will point out some of the potential key battles in this semi-final, and the tactical approach that we can expect to see from both managers.

Potential line-ups

Leicester are expected to line up in a 3-5-2 shape, as they did against West Ham in their last match. Çağlar Söyüncü should return to the side following his absence due to COVID-19 since the international break, while we expect Dennis Praet to continue in midfield, ahead of James Maddison or Ayoze Pérez. However, Maddison would add some much-needed creativity to the side, and it is a question of whether Rodgers will include him following a disciplinary breach last weekend. Kelechi Iheanacho will partner Jamie Vardy up front  the Nigerian is in hot goalscoring form, while Vardy is the exact opposite, having gone 10 matches in a row now without finding the back of the net.