Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen and thanks for joining our live coverage of Southampton's trip to Leicester City. I'm Shane and I'll be bringing you all of the action from the King Power Stadium; whether Leonardo Ulloa scores an overhead, or Nigel Pearson tries to choke somebody again, we'll tell you about it.

The Foxes have belief in spades these days after digging their way out of the relegation zone but more work is still to be done before they can complete their great escape. Victory here, though, and Nigel Pearson's men, covered from head to toe in dirt, know that they may just be free.

Yep, it's been few a very productive last six weeks for Leicester, my friends. In March, they were rock bottom of the table and SEVEN points adrift of safety, looking nailed-on certainties for relegation. But fast forward a month and a half and City, who have won five of their last six, are threatening similar feats of escapism as Harry Houdini or your man from The Rock.

Such a run of form at this stage of the season has to be respected, and if Southampton didn't know they were in for a game, then they do after Leicester thumped Newcastle 3-0 here last week.

Okay Newcastle are hardly Barcelona - in fact my six-a-side astro team could give them a game at the moment - but regardless of their opposition's shortcomings, the win will have done wonders for a Leicester side already brimming with confidence and the Saints have to play well to leave with anything. No doubt about it.

Still, the Foxes are only one point clear of the danger zone at the minute, so taking their foot off the pedal isn't a luxury for them. I have it on good authority that this song is playing on repeat in the Leicester dressing room as we speak.

Is it time for team news? I think so, but before that have a quick look at what the boys down at Sports Mole HQ have had to say on this one.

LEICESTER XI: Schmeichel, Morgan, James, Vardy, Albrighton, Huth, Schlupp, Cambiasso, Ulloa, Mahrez, Wasilewski

SOUTHAMPTON XI: Gazzaniga, Clyne, Fonte (c), Alderweireld, Bertrand, Wanyama, Reed, S. Davis, Elia, Mané, Pellè

LEICESTER SUBS: Schwarzer, De Laet, Konchesky, Drinkwater, Hammond, Nugent, Kramarić

SOUTHAMPTON SUBS: K. Davis (GK), Yoshida, Gardos, Long, Djuričić, Targett, Gallagher

Right, let's start with the hosts and I can confirm that Pearson names an unchanged side, with Jamie Vardy and Ulloa continuing up front. Marc Albrighton and Jeff Schlupp line up in the wing-back slots, with Esteban Cambiasso, Matty James and Riyhad Mahrez in midfield. You'll find Wes Morgan - who scored last week - Marcin Wasilewski and Robert Huth in central defence. As you were for City then.

Incidentally, David Nugent returns to the matchday squad after missing the last five games. Is it coincidence that Leicester started winning when he was out injured? I'm not saying anything.

On to Southampton now and I can reveal that Koeman makes four changes to his first XI from their defeat to Sunderland. Firstly, Kelvin Davis, in what would've been his 300th appearance, is dropped for Paulo Gazzinga. Bit cruel, but anyway, Harrison Reed, Steven Davis and Eljero Elia also come into the side at the expense of the suspended James Ward-Prowse, Maya Yoshida and Shane Long.

Let's look at a few hotshots this afternoon and who can both sides look to for a little inspiration? Let's have a look, shall we?

Well, at Leicester it has to be Ulloa doesn't it? The stocky Argentine started the season like a house on fire, netting five in his first five, and he's finishing it on a high too. With three in his last four, including a brace against the Magpies, Southampton need to be alert to his danger this afternoon. He was god awful from, say, October to March, netting just two Premier League goals, but he's back on song in the nick of time.

Speaking of early-season heroics that tailed off, Graziano Pelle and Ulloa actually have a bit in common because, like his Argentine counterpart, the Italian hitman is coming good again in the final stretch. Pelle, who netted 10 in his first 12 games, only netted his first league goal of 2015 against Hull on April 11, scored twice in the 2-2 draw with Spurs a fortnight ago.

It's very much a battle of the resurgent strikers this afternoon really, isn't it?

DID YOU KNOW? Let's look at one or stats before kickoff, shall we? Ah sure why not, and did you know that Southampton are unbeaten in the last six meetings and won the reverse fixture 2-0 earlier in the season? Yeah that happened. Leicester have only won nine of the last 35 in all competitions, so the omens certainly favour the visitors today.

Incidentally, this game has just got that bit bigger for Leicester, my friends. Sunderland have only gone and beat Everton 2-0 at Goodison Park for a victory that brings them two points clear in 14th. Consequently, Leicester are now outside the drop zone on goal difference, with Hull dropping into 18th. If Hull - who face Burnley this afternoon - better Leicester's result then Pearson's troops will drop into the bottom three. Nervy times.

PREDICTION: Right, we're precisely 10 minutes from kickoff so let's summon the spirit of Nostradamus and try predict the outcome here with a vague prediction, shall we? I see, a fox biting Nicole Appleton, who was in All Saints, and Southampton's nickname is the Saints, and Leicester are the Foxes, so we're looking at a home win then. Is that how it works?

As we mentioned in team news, Koeman denied goalkeeper Davis what would've been his 300th Saints appearance in favour of including 23-year-old Paulo Gazzinga. Here's what the Dutchman had to say on the omission: "It's about next season. I would like to see Paulo so he gets his opportunity today."

Maybe on the way back to the bus Koeman can slash the tyres on a few wheelchairs, or steal a blind man's cane while he's at it. I jest. Surely Davis will get a chance to earn his 300th appearance before the season is out.

Right, the players are entering the field of play now and we're minutes away. Incidentally, Pearson is Manger of the Month for April, but I'd think twice about giving a fella like that a heavy, blunt implement because things could go south if they lose this.

Oh god Gazzinga has a man bun. That should be 1-0 to Leicester already.

KICKOFF: Aaaaaaaaaaaand we're off at the King Power, my friends. Leicester, whose fans are in fine voice already, get us underway. Let's go.

Fast start by Leicester, who were ahead within 50 seconds against Newcastle last week, and lightning almost strikes twice as Robert Huth heads Marc Albrighton's corner over the bar. Good start.

Incidentally, Roy Hodgson is in attendance today, perhaps watching Nathaniel Clyne and Ryan Bertrand, but he'll also catch a glimpse of 20-year-old Harrison Reed in Southampton's midfield today.

Brilliant from Mahrez, who grabs his first goal of 2015. The Algerian shows excellent skill to bypass Reed and Steven Davis, before drilling a left-footed shot past Paulo Gazzinga from outside the box as his nestled in the bottom corner. Fine goal, but woeful defending from Reed and Davis.

Bit of a blow for Leicester now as Matty James looks like he's going to be stretchered off with a knee problem, while Danny Drinkwater is readied. Unfortunate for him.

SUB: That's really unfortunate. James is given a standing ovation as he's stretchered off the field, while Drinkwater comes on.

Good goalkeeping from Kasper Schmeichel here as the Dane punches away Ryan Bertrand's teasing cross, with Sadio Mane lurking with intent, but Leicester survive. The hosts need to keep their heads a little because that James injury has rocked them a little.

Leicester fans, to their credit, have not stopped singing. They've been different class.

2-0 inside 20 minutes and Leicester are in dreamland! Gazzinga deserves a slice of the criticism for a shambolic clearance that Ulloa pounced upon, heading into the path of Vardy, who played it into the middle and Mahrez, totally unmarked, stabs past Gazzinga from close range. What's going on?

In truth, Koeman deserves a slice of the blame for that second goal. Why did he play Gazzinga instead of the tried-and-tested Kelvin Davis? It's bizarre, especially considering they're going for a Europa League place.

CHANCE! First real chance for Southampton as Mane heads over the bar from close range. Unforgiveable I'm afraid. He should be doing better.

I'm not going to pull punches here but Southampton have been really, really poor. Leicester will win this comfortably, far more comfortably than they should, given that the Saints are vying for Europa LEague qualification.

Southampton boss Ronald Koeman looks a little dejected on the away bench. Understandably, because his charges have been sloppy here today. We're not used to seeing that from them. They haven't lost an away game by more than one goal this season that'll probably be changing today.

CHANCE!!!! Oh my word it should be 3-0. Vardy has earned praise for his industry in recent weeks, but his finishing has been a bit of wayward and this is a poor miss. He latches on to Mahrez's superb ball but, in a one-on-one with Gazzinga, fluffs his lines. That'll do Gazzinga's confidence the world of good.

Leicester hearts were in mouths there as Mane went down in the box under a challenge from Wes Morgan, but Roger East isn't convinced. Looked a strong case to be fair. On a lighter note, has anybody seen Graziano Pelle? If so, call 555-missing strikers. He's done absolutely nothing today.

Eight minutes to the break then and Leicester may be tempted to add a third. It's there for them you know, because Southampton have looked shakier at the back than, something. I didn't think that analogy through.

Oh lord can the real Southampton please stand up? They've been truly rotten in this first 40 minutes and might've conceded again when Gazzinga's weak punch landed straight at Wes Morgan, who couldn't sort his feet out in time. So disappointing from the Saints.

I'm hearing that there'll be around FIVE minutes of stoppage time here, due to Matty James's injury. Plenty of time for Southampton to nick one back - but it's very unlikely at the moment.

FIVE MINUTES ADDED ON: Yep, five minutes added on but, having seen Schmeichel fail to be tested, Southampton can't seriously hope that they can get one back before the break.

Leicester fans won't be winning any grammies for their signing, but they should win something for the way in which they refuse to stop singing. They've been brilliant all afternoon, making this place rock and it's telling in the scoreline. Southampton, like Newcastle, just aren't enjoying the atmosphere.

That's all she wrote in this half, my friends. Leicester have been totally in control, with a brace from Riyad Mahrez giving them a healthy 2-0 lead. The fans been absolutely brilliant, too.

Matty James's injury is the only negative in an otherwise glowing half, but Pearson won't be too upset if the scoreline stays the same, will he?

RESTART: Right, we're back underway at the King Power and, as expected, the fans are still singing! It's a massive next 45 minutes for Leicester. If they can hold on it'll do wonders for their survival bid.

SHOT! Good spell this from Southampton, who start the half well as Eljero Elia drills wide of the mark from about 30 yards. Bizarrely optimistic, given the angle was against him as well, but better from the visitors overall.

Southampton still applying plenty of pressure in the early stages of this half but nothing doing as of yet. Pelle, however, has done absolutely nothing. Literally nothing. He's just standing up front; no movement, no energy, no nothing.

Two-goal Mahrez is down on the turf receiving a bit of treatment. Having already lost James through injury, Pearson won't want to lose another vital cog in the side.

Could Gazzinga's man bun be related to his shaky performance this afternoon? I'm not ruling it out. People with this hairstyle tend to be a bit apathetic to most things.

SHOT! Well, Mahrez might've done better with this and wrapped up his hat-trick. It's a poor defensive header from Fonte, and the Algerian, on that wand of a left foot, drills narrowly wide from a good position.

Leicester fans break into a chorus of "we are staying up" and few would back against them doing just that. Especially with Hull losing 1-0 to Burnley as it stands! Leicester are three points clear of danger at the moment.

SHOT! Leicester still on top as Cambiasso fires a shot at goal, and it takes a deflection but it's not enough to deceive Gazzaniga.

Unfortunately Southampton fans, your team are rapidly running out of ideas and I'll be surprised if your lot score today. There's no invention in the final third, just tired cross coming into the box one after the another as Morgan and Wasilewski beat them away time and again.

SUB: Southampton make their first change now as Elia makes way for Shane Long. Has he got chewing gum in his mouth? You best believe it. Surely he's angling for a Wrigleys contract at this stage, is he?

SUB: Jamie Vardy receives a standing applause from Leicester fans and Pearson, who was already standing, as he's replaced by fit-again David Nugent.

SAVE! We're 71 minutes in and we've only just seen Schmeichel make his first save, tipping Mane's lofted effort over the bar. That tells its own story, doesn't it?

Koeman gesticulates at Pearson after a refereeing error. He knows Pearson tried to choke James McArthur and called somebody an ostrich in the last few weeks right? This is not a man to be messed with.

CLOSE! Leicester fans think it's 3-0, as did I, but it's not. Cambiasso's fine effort drifts narrowly wide of the near post and ripples the side netting.

SUB: Leicester make their third sub as Dean Hammond - a former Saints captain - replaces Ulloa. Good to see him applauded by Southampton fans. Nice to see.

BOOKING: We've seen the first booking as Marcin Wasilewski cynically fouls Mane. No complaints.

Just a party atmosphere here at the King Power now in a game that has been over for quite a while. Leicester fans haven't stopped singing and, as it stands, the King Power is one of the hardest stadiums to leave with a victory if you're an opposition team.

Just a reminder that Pearson's men are moving three points clear of danger as it stands! They go to Sunderland next week knowing that victory would keep them in the division. What a turnaround.

That's all she wrote! Leicester take a MASSIVE leap towards safety with their sixth win in seven games. What a turnaround and they're effectively just one win away from safety now. Incredible.

Anywho, that's me. Stay tuned for ratings and analysis folks and we'll see you next time! Cheers.