Good afternoon everyone! There are some big fixtures taking place in the Premier League this weekend, but there are not too many more intriguing than the clash at St Mary's, between high-flying Southampton and lowly Leicester City.

It really has been a fairy tale start to the season for Southampton. So many predicted that they would struggle after losing their manager and a host of players over the summer, but the arrival of Ronald Koeman and signings such as Graziano Pelle and Dusan Tadic has seen them break records in recent weeks.

Meanwhile, Leicester have had a tough time of it lately after a promising start to life in the Premier League. They lost just one of their opening five games and claimed a sensational 5-3 win over Manchester United, but they are now on a three-match losing run and have not tasted victory since mid-September.

Before we go any further, let's take a look how each team will be lining up St Mary's, starting with the home side.

SOUTHAMPTON XI: Forster, Clyne, Fonte, Alderweireld, Bertrand, Wanyama, Schneiderlin, Davis, Tadic, Mane, Pelle

LEICESTER CITY XI: Schmeichel, De Laet, Wasilewski, Morgan, Schlupp, Cambiasso, James, Drinkwater, King, Vardy, Ulloa

SOUTHAMPTON SUBS: Konchesky, Powell, Moore, Mahrez, Smith, Nugent, Wood

LEICESTER CITY SUBS: Davis, Yoshida, Gardos, Long, Cork, Mayuka, Reed

TEAM NEWS: Southampton have made just one change from the team that beat Hull City last weekend, with Sadio Mane starting in place of Shane Long. Meanwhile, there are two changes for Leicester this afternoon, as Jeff Schlupp and Leonardo Ulloa return to the starting XI.

It was just four seasons ago that Southampton were in League One, but today they are second in the Premier League after a remarkable turn in fortunes. That is made all the more astonishing by what happened to the club in the summer, when all of their good work threatened to be torn apart.

Having finished eighth in the table last season, they lost manager Mauricio Pochettino to Tottenham Hotspur and his departure heralded an exodus of their best players. Adam Lallana, Rickie Lambert and Dejan Lovren all joined Liverpool, while young full backs Luke Shaw and Calum Chambers left for Manchester United and Arsenal. The way the team had been dismantled was a blow to fans of the club and even players like Morgan Schneiderlin were said to be unhappy with what had happened.

However, former Dutch international Ronald Koeman took over the vacant managerial role in June and made a number of shrewd signings that reinvigorated the side. Among the most impressive have been top-scorer Graziano Pelle and Dusan Tadic, who has set up six league goals since his arrival from Twente.

Anyone who has watched Southampton this season will agree that they deserve to be second in the table. They have played some great football, with their 8-0 win over Sunderland last month earning them their biggest victory in the Premier League. They have also been solid at the back, conceding just five goals and keeping six clean sheets.

If Southampton are cruising at the moment, then the opposite can be said of their opponents today. Leicester have lost four of their last five league matches and sit inside the relegation zone. It all seems to be going against them lately and they desperately need something to kick-start their season.

Cold and rainy day at St Mary's http://t.co/63XsGFIyoC pic.twitter.com/C6Al9Erp8L — Danny Simpson (@dannysimpson) November 8, 2014

The Foxes actually made a decent start to the campaign and held Everton to a draw on the opening day, before falling to a defeat against Chelsea. They followed that up with a well-earned point against Arsenal, before winning their first game of the season away at Stoke City. The best was yet to come, as a week later they pulled off one of the results of the season in a 5-3 victory against Manchester United.

That result against the Red Devils proved to be their last win and they have picked up just a single point in the seven weeks since. The goals have dried up and they have managed to find the net just twice in their last five games. That was in a 2-2 draw against bottom of the league Burnley, when a stoppage time free kick from Ross Wallace denied them a priceless three points.

Of course it is still early in the season and a win this afternoon could propel them up to 13th in the table. Few will tip them to pick up anything against this Southampton side, but Nigel Pearson will be looking at their next two games as potentially huge in the relegation battle. After the international break they welcome Sunderland to the King Power Stadium, before travelling to 19th place Queens Park Rangers a week later.

It's all over in today's early Premier League kick off at Anfield and Chelsea have claimed a 2-1 win over Liverpool. Emre Can scored early on for the Reds, but Jose Mourinho's men quickly hit back with a goal from Gary Cahill. Diego Costa's second-half winner completed the comeback and has moved the Blues seven points clear at the top of the table.

Moving back to our build up for the clash at St Mary's, where Southampton have the upper hand in previous meetings between the clubs, with 30 victories from their 78 clashes. Leicester have won 23 of those, including the last two games they played in the Championship three seasons ago. We may very well be in for a draw, as their last three clashes in the Premier League have ended level.

STAT: #SaintsFC have won every game in which they have scored first so far this season. — Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) November 8, 2014

PREDICTION: I can only see one team coming out on top this afternoon. Southampton have been in such great form and they should have more than enough to keep up their winning run. It's hard to make a case for Leicester, who haven't scored in their last three away games. So, for those reasons I am going to go for a 2-0 victory for the Saints.

With kick off fast approaching, make sure you have a look at our video preview for today's match with the guys on the sofa.

Both sets of players have just made their way out onto the pitch with five minutes left until the action starts. We will also have a minutes silence before kick off, ahead of Remembrance Sunday.

KICKOFF! We are underway at St Mary's Stadium!

The hosts have made a lightning start here. Pelle picks up the ball in the centre of the pitch and plays a stunning ball out wide to Tadic. The Serbian then gets to the byline and it takes a last-ditch challenge from the visitors to put the ball behind.

It's all Southampton in the early stages and they are seeing plenty of the ball. They haven't managed to test Schmeichel in the Leicester goal yet, but their passing and movement has been what you would expect of a side brimming with confidence.

We're still yet to see a serious effort on goal, but you sense that it won't take the hosts too long to get in behind. They are pressing their opponents high up the pitch and are starting to find a lot of room on each flank.

You get a feeling that Leicester won't have too many chances this afternoon and they will need to make whatever comes their way count. A set piece may be their best way of finding the net, but their first corner of the afternoon from James is easily headed clear by Pelle.

Southampton just crank up the pressure slightly when Bertrand is freed down the left and whips a teasing ball into the middle that is just beyond the reach of Pelle. The striker was flagged offside anyway so it wouldn't of counted, but the visitors won't want him to get free in those positions too often.

Over the past couple of minutes the Foxes have had their first spell of sustained possession. They are starting to grow in confidence and Schlupp looks as if he may cause some trouble down the left with his pace.

Bertrand has been superb in the opening minutes of this game and he whips in another great cross from the left. This time it is aimed towards Tadic at the back post, but Schlupp does well to get in front of the midfielder and put the ball out for a corner.

From the resulting corner Southampton manage their first shot on target. It's Clyne with the effort, as the ball falls to him kindly just outside the box and he lets fly. The shot is well hit, but it is straight down the middle and Schmeichel comfortably gathers.

The visitors win a free kick in a promising position near the right corner flag after Alderweireld brings down Vardy. James again takes the set piece, but once more the Saints have no trouble in heading the ball clear.

This has to go down as a chance for Leicester, who trouble the home side's goal for the first time. They win a corner on the left that James whips in towards the middle. Morgan is there and gets above his man, but he ends up powering his header over the bar.

This game is yet to really spark into life, but the Saints are still knocking on the door. Bertrand and Tadic in particular are looking dangerous down the wings and the Leicester full backs have been given a pretty tough time of it so far.

Southampton are playing some lovely stuff at the moment, but the final ball just isn't quite there. On their latest attack Mane bursts forward and finds Pelle, who flicks a great back heel looking for the run of the midfielder, but he had not read the pass properly and the visitors get rid of the danger.

The Saints are doing all of the attacking, but it is tough for them to break through with the Foxes getting plenty of men behind the ball and regularly having eight men back inside their own box.

CHANCE! Mane has looked dangerous in this first half and he comes the closest to scoring yet. It is all his own work, as he drives into the box and sees his cross blocked at the front post by Morgan. The ball then bounces back to him kindly and he tries to pick out the top corner from a tight angle, but his strike ends up going just over the bar.

YELLOW CARD! Schneiderlin picks up the first booking of the afternoon for a poor lunge on Vardy. That's not the sort of card he was hoping for on his birthday!

Southampton may have a bit of problem here as Davis is down and receiving treatment. He seemed to pick up the knock in a challenge with Morgan and it appears that he won't be able to continue.

SUBSTITUTION: The Saints do end up making the change, with Davis limping off to be replaced by Cork.

It doesn't seem likely that we will see a goal before half time, which will be particularly welcomed by the visitors. There haven't been too many efforts on goal in recent minutes, with the latest strike from Cork dragged well wide of the target.

There are going to be two minutes of stoppage time at the end of the first half.

The first half comes to an end and it's still goalless between Southampton and Leicester. The hosts have been on top, but a good defensive display from the visitors has kept them largely quiet.

Half-time: Southampton 0-0 Leicester City #SouLei pic.twitter.com/mmc8eV9rl7 — Leicester City (@OfficialFOXES) November 8, 2014

In terms of possession, Southampton have been very much in control, seeing 64% of the ball. They have also had seven shots on goal compared to their opponent's sole effort, but only one of those has found the target.

St Mary's is not the only stadium in the Premier League this afternoon experiencing a goal drought. It is currently 0-0 in each of the four 3pm kick offs. Surely things can only get better in the second half?

There are plenty of players capable of grabbing a goal among each team's substitutes. For the hosts, Shane Long is available after being replaced in the starting XI today by Sadio Mane. As for the visitors, David Nugent and Chris Wood may get a run out after the break.

The players are back out on the pitch and we should be getting back underway in just a few moments.

Leicester take the kick off and get the second half started.

Leicester have made a really decent start to this half and they are seeing a lot of the ball out wide. I mentioned that Schlupp looked dangerous early on in the match and he does well to burst towards the byline and win his side a corner.

The hosts burst into life with Tadic freed down the left wing. He looks up and picks out Pelle in the box, but the Italian can't quite get over the ball and fires his strike over the bar.

GOAL DISALLOWED! Mane thinks that he has given the Saints the lead, but the flag is raised on the far side. It was another good move as Bertrand was played in down the left and whipped a great low cross into the box. Mane arrived to touch it into the net from close range, but he was standing a yard offside and the goal is not given.

YELLOW CARD! Alderweireld is shown a card for hauling back Vardy just outside the box as the striker threatened to run through. He would have been sent off had Fonte not been the covering defender.

SUBSTITUTION: The visitors make their first change of the match, with Moore coming on for De Laet.

Leicester only had one attempt on goal in the first half, but they have certainly looked more threatening since the break. From the resulting free kick after Vardy was fouled, Cambiasso should do better when he hits the wall from a free kick, before King drills a shot wide of the target moments later.

YELLOW CARD! Moore has only been on for a few minutes, but he picks up a booking for a clumsy tackle on Mane.

The game has started to open up and it is playing into the hands of Southampton. They manage to work a couple of decent openings, as Pelle sees his header from Bertrand's cross blocked for a corner and soon after Clyne sees a low shot from outside the box deflect kindly through to the keeper.

Bertrand has been a constant threat from the left wing this afternoon, but he tries his luck from range after the ball drops to him following a corner. He hits his low strike well enough, but there is not enough power for it to beat Schmeichel who easily gathers.

Leicester have shown that they can be a real danger on the counter and they break at pace after Clyne loses out to Schlupp. The full back then chargers forward and finds Vardy in the box, but he is unable to get past Fonte who shows his strength to get the ball clear.

CHANCE! Southampton are knocking on the door and Fonte comes close when he meets Tadic's cross and powers in a header, which is somehow blocked behind by the visitors.

SUBSTITUTION: The Saints make their second change of the match, with Long coming on for Mane.

The pressure from Southampton it intense now and following another corner the ball drops to Schneiderlin. He looks to curl an effort into the corner, but his shot takes a deflection and ends up heading inches over the bar.

SUBSTITUTION: The visitors make the change this time and it's Wood who replaces Ulloa.

What a wonderful goal this is from Southampton. Pelle is picked out by a long ball from Cork and waits for support to arrive. He holds it up and then lays the ball off to Long on the edge of the box, who curls a great effort into the far corner. It is harsh on the visitors, but no more than the Saints deserve.

SUBSTITUTION: Leicester respond to going behind by making their final change of the match, with Powell coming on for King.

It's surely all over now as Long gets his second of the match. The striker beats the offside trap and latches onto a great ball over the top from Wanyama, before running through to slot an effort past Schmeichel. He has only been on the pitch for 12 minutes, but has made the difference today.

The Saints are happy now to pass the ball around as they look to see out the rest of the match. In contrast, Leicester look deflated and who could blame them after being on course to end their losing run.

Long has been simply brilliant since his arrival and he looks for a third goal with a great run through the middle. He goes past the Leicester midfielder as if they are not there and it looks as if he is about to burst through on goal, but Morgan is there in time to stop him in his tracks.

CHANCE! Wood has a golden chance to pull a goal back for Leicester as he breaks through the defence and finds himself one-on-one with Forster. He does everything right and waits for the keeper to go down before attempting to chip it into the corner, but he completely fluffs his effort and puts the ball wide of the post.

There are going to be three minutes of stoppage time.

SUBSTITUTION: Southampton make a late change, as youngster Reed comes on for Schneiderlin.

CHANCE! This would have wrapped up the game perfectly for Long. He almost grabs his hat-trick when he breaks clear and controls the ball brilliantly outside the box. He then attempts to squeeze a low shot into the bottom corner, but it goes just wide of the post.

It's all over and Southampton have made it four wins in a row by beating Leicester. Long turned out to be the hero after coming off the bench to score both of their goals and move them five points above Manchester City.

That's all we've got time for here. Don't forget that we will have player ratings and analysis of today's match coming up for you shortly. I hope you enjoy the rest of your weekend. Goodbye!