Two Premier League teams struggling for form will lock horns at the King Power Stadium on Thursday night when Leicester City play host to Leeds United.
While the Foxes have won only one game all season, the Whites are seeking to avoid a seventh-successive game without a victory.
Match preview
© Reuters
The pressure continues to mount on Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers after his side were forced to play out a goalless draw at home against Crystal Palace last weekend.
While a point claimed has at least seen them move off the foot of the table, the Foxes are four points adrift from safety and can ill-afford any more slip-ups if they wish to escape the drop zone any time soon.
Rodgers, who stormed away from a media gathering last weekend following a "very disrespectful" question about his salary, has seen his side win only one of their 10 Premier League games this season and they have conceded a league-high 24 goals.
However, the Foxes have kept a clean sheet in their last two home matches, including the 4-0 win over basement club Nottingham Forest, and they managed to keep Leeds quiet in front of goal the last time that they visited the King Power, securing a 1-0 home win over the West Yorkshire outfit in March.
Indeed, Leicester have picked up seven points from a possible 12 available against Leeds since the latter were promoted to the top flight two years ago, and they will be desperate to claim another three against them on Thursday.
© Reuters
After making a bright start to the 2022-23 campaign and picking up seven points from their opening three league games, Leeds have since accumulated only two points from their last six fixtures.
The Whites were condemned to a slender 1-0 home defeat against leaders Arsenal last weekend – a game which saw Patrick Bamford miss a second-half penalty – and while Jesse Marsch was encouraged with his side's performance, they came away empty handed and have now extended their winless run to six matches.
Slipping to 15th in the Premier League table, Leeds are sitting just one point above the relegation zone, although they do have a game in hand on all of the five teams below them. With four of their next five fixtures against teams currently sitting 10th or lower in the table, Marsch and co will be hopeful of turning their fortunes around in the coming weeks.
While Leeds have fared reasonably well on home soil, with last weekend's loss against Arsenal their first at Elland Road this season, the Whites have struggled on the road, picking up just one away point from a possible 12 available and losing each of their last three games away from West Yorkshire.
Leeds will reminisce about the 3-1 victory at the King Power in January 2021, but defeat on Thursday could see them join Leicester in the bottom three if other results were to go against them.
Team News
© Reuters
Leicester will be without key playmaker James Maddison, who is suspended after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season in the draw with Crystal Palace.
The Foxes are also without Wilfred Ndidi (thigh), Ricardo Pereira (Achilles), Ryan Bertrand, Caglar Soyuncu (both knee) and Jonny Evans (calf) due to injury, the latter of whom, however, has an outside chance of featuring against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday.
In the absence of Maddison, either Marc Albrighton or Ayoze Perez could be handed a start, while Harvey Barnes will be called upon to provide a greater goal threat on the left flank; the Englishman has enjoyed facing Leeds over the years, scoring in each of his last five appearances against them.
As for the visitors, Marsch has confirmed that Pascal Struijk will miss Thursday's game with a minor injury, while Stuart Dallas (leg), Adam Forshaw (ankle) Archie Gray (toe) and Leo Hjelde (appendectomy) all remain sidelined.
Junior Firpo returned to the substitutes' bench last weekend after recovering from a knee injury, but the former Barcelona man will be handed a start at left-back against Leicester in the absence of Struijk.
Bamford came on for the second half against Arsenal, with Marsch continuing to manage his minutes amid fitness issues, but the striker could be handed a start on Thursday with Rodrigo potentially dropping out of the first XI.
Leicester City possible starting lineup:
Ward; Castagne, Amartey, Faes, Justin; Soumare; Albrighton, Tielemans, Dewsbury-Hall, Barnes; Daka
Leeds United possible starting lineup:
Meslier; Kristensen, Koch, Cooper, Firpo; Adams, Roca; Sinisterra, Aaronson, Harrison; Bamford
We say: Leicester City 2-2 Leeds United
Every game is turning into a must-win for Rodgers and his Leicester side, while Leeds will also be desperate to taste victory having not done so since August.
Leicester have not drawn any of their last 10 Premier League home games against Leeds, but we feel that this run could come to an end on Thursday, with both sides playing out an entertaining contest at the King Power.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Oliver Thomas
