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Preview: Leicester City vs. Swansea City

Sports Mole looks ahead to the Premier League match at the King Power Stadium between Leicester City and Swansea City.

Leicester City will continue their attempt at a miraculous escape from the relegation zone at the King Power Stadium against Swansea City.

The Foxes earned a last-gasp win over West Bromwich Albion last week to spark their survival chances, but face a tough task against the well drilled outfit of Garry Monk's men.



Leicester

Leicester City manager Nigel Pearson looks on as the players warm up prior to the Pre-Season Friendly match between MK Dons and Leicester City on August 4, 2014© Getty Images

Nigel Pearson's men secured back-to-back wins for the first time in the Premier League this season as they backed up their efforts from their victory over West Ham United with a late rally to secure the three points against the Baggies.

Jamie Vardy's late winner could be very important in the club's quest for survival as they looked cast adrift at the bottom of the table two weeks ago, but are now just three points behind Hull City in 17th place.

The Foxes look a different team from the side that struggled from October to the end of December when they couldn't buy a point in a 13-match winless run. The club kept faith in manager Nigel Pearson and have been rewarded by a real push from the players to maintain their top-flight status.

Leicester have played good football for the majority of the season and earned plaudits from opposing managers for their displays, but failed to get the results they need as the slipped to the bottom of the table despite a bright start to the campaign.

However, recently Pearson's men have managed to turn those displays into valuable points, courtesy of better finishing in front of goal, which had been their bane for most of the campaign.

The Foxes scored three goals in their narrow defeat to Tottenham Hotspur, and followed that up with two in their victory over the Hammers and three against West Brom. It appears Pearson's men have found their goalscoring form at the perfect time to boost their survival chances.

The club's home form will also be crucial to retaining their status in the top flight as five of their remaining seven games will take place at the King Power Stadium. Leicester have the worst home record in the division, and that has to change for them to beat the drop, starting against the Swans.

Recent form: DLDLWW



Swansea

Swansea manager Garry Monk looks on prior to kick-off in the Premier League match against Aston Villa on April 26, 2014© Getty Images

Swansea continued to make strides under the management of Monk as they equalled the highest ever points tally in the Premier League by reaching the 47-point mark last week.

Jonjo Shelvey's strike from the penalty spot in the second half was enough to earn the Swans a point in their clash against Everton at the Liberty Stadium to equal the milestone, with six games remaining this season.

The achievement proved what a model of consistency the Swans have become under the management of Monk, who has excelled in the role since he replaced Michael Laudrup last year.

Monk's accomplishments have even seen him linked to managerial roles at West Ham United and Sunderland, but the 37-year-old has distanced himself from the speculation, which will be a huge relief to fans of the club.

Swansea's form since the turn of the year has been impressive due to the fact that they lost top goalscorer Wilfried Bony to Manchester City, while it also took time for striker Bafetimbi Gomis to find his feet in the top flight.

The Swans are intent on pushing beyond their best performance in the top flight and are unbeaten in their last three matches, which have seen them defeat Aston Villa and Hull City to keep them in the top half of the table.

Injuries may keep them from reaching the 60-point mark, but the club will be looking to keep up their solid record on the road in their remaining four matches away from the Liberty Stadium this season.

Recent form: DLLWWD



Team News

David Nugent of Leicester City celebrates scoring their first goal with Leonardo Ulloa of Leicester City during the Barclays Premier League match between West Bromwich Albion and Leicester City at The Hawthorns on April 11, 2015© Getty Images

Pearson is in the fortunate position of having no new injury worries or suspensions at this late stage of the season.

The Foxes are likely to stick with the same starting lineup that helped them defeat West Brom last week, although Riyad Mahrez and Andy King could push for a recall after coming off the bench at The Hawthorns.

Swansea are without a host of players for the clash at the King Power Stadium. Gomis is ruled out with a hamstring injury, while his potential replacement Nelson Oliveira is struggling with a foot problem.

Tom Carroll is also likely to miss the fixture, while Kyle Naughton will miss the rest of the season. Neil Taylor will also miss the match due to suspension.

Leicester possible starting lineup:
Schmeichel, De Laet, Morgan, Huth, Schlupp, Cambiasso, James, Albrighton, Nugent, Vardy, Ulloa

Swansea possible starting lineup:
Fabianski, Rangel, Amat, Fernandez, Williams, Ki, Cork, Shelvey, Sigurdsson, Routledge, Oliveira


Head To Head

Swansea recorded a 2-0 victory over the Foxes in their meeting earlier this season as Bony scored a brace at the Liberty Stadium to hand Monk's men the three points.

In their last meeting at the King Power Stadium, Leicester claimed a 2-1 win over the Swans after previously being defeated 2-1 in the 2010-11 campaign in the Championship.

Leicester have edged the contest over the course of history, having won the fixture 14 times compared to the nine wins of Swansea, while eight of the matches have ended in draws.


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We say: Leicester 1-1 Swansea

Leicester are putting up a real fight in their quest to remain in the Premier League with their back-to-back victories, but will face a tough task to make it three wins on the bounce when they face off against the Swans.

For that reason this match is likely to end in a stalemate, but this will still provide Pearson's men with a valuable point.



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Bafetibis Gomis of Swansea City celebrates scoring the winning goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Aston Villa and Swansea City at Villa Park on March 21, 2015
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