Simpson: Home Form Massive

- The Foxes are unbeaten in a calendar year at King Power Stadium in the league

- They face Southampton at home on Sunday afternoon (KO 2.15pm) 

- Simpson says the Foxes will have a plan to combat their in-form opponents 

The influence of the King Power Stadium crowd could make all the difference for Leicester City against Southampton on Sunday afternoon, says defender Danny Simpson.

Tuesday night’s victory at home to Porto in the UEFA Champions League came on the back of impressive King Power Stadium wins over Burnley and Swansea City in recent weeks. 

For Simpson, the backing of the Blue Army has given them the inspiration for a run of home form that has seen them go a calendar year unbeaten on their own turf. 

Not since a loss to Arsenal last September have the Foxes lost at King Power Stadium and with a couple of recent defeats on the road, Simpson believes that home form is taking on even more importance for the team. 

“With the crowd behind us, on our day at home we can beat anyone. I’m not sure when the last league game we lost at home was, but we make it tough for teams coming here. 

“This season especially that will be important. We’ve found it tough at times away from home so home form will be massive for us.” 

Tuesday’s 1-0 win over Porto – courtesy of an Islam Slimani header – continued City’s impressive home run, along with their 100 percent record in the competition. 

Simpson added: “We were delighted. It’s important to get back to winning ways especially after a disappointing result. The good thing about this season is that you’ve got a game three days later to get the game before out of your mind and out of your legs. 

“That first Champions League game at King Power Stadium was special for everyone involved.” 

The Foxes face a Southampton side in great form however. With in-form striker Charlie Austin netting five goals in his last four games alongside a run of five consecutive cleans sheets for the Saints, they are a formidable opposition. 

Simpson knows all about Austin having played alongside him at former team Queens Park Rangers and insists that the Foxes will have a plan. 

“When I played at QPR with him he was fantastic,” said Simpson. “He could score all types of goals – six-yard box, headers and 20 yards. I left to come here and it was good to see how well he did in the Premier League. 

“The [defensive] stats say it all [about Southampton]. It’s a tough game and they are obviously well organised. They keep the back door shut and score goals. Any team that does that will be tough to play against. We’ll look at what they do and make sure we’ve got the right plan.”