The 3 key battles as Southampton host Premier League champions Leicester this afternoon

Virgil van Dijk vs Jamie Vardy

There aren’t too many defenders that can live with Jamie Vardy’s pace and agility, but Southampton’s Virgil van Dijk is one of them.

The Dutch international has been sensational at the heart of the Saints defence this season, which has seen him linked with several top sides, and the developing situation surrounding centre-back partner Jose Fonte doesn’t appear to have unsettled him.

In fact, he and Maya Yoshida look just as solid and dependable as the van Dijk and Fonte partnership, and they’ll need to be sharp against Leicester’s Vardy this afternoon.

Like many Foxes this season, the England international hasn’t been as good as last time round, but he still has it in him to terrorise defenders and cause them problems.

Like Long, Vardy’s tenacity will keep van Dijk honest throughout the contest, and how well the defender marshals the Englishman will be crucial in deciding the outcome of today’s clash.