Jesse Marsch’s first match as Leeds United manager sees the Whites visit Leicester City at King Power Stadium.
Victory would see Leicester climb to 10th in the table, whereas Leeds can go 14th for a minimum of two-and-a-half hours.
Team News
Ricardo Pereira is a doubt for Leicester after suffering a hamstring in Tuesday’s win at Burnley.
James Justin (hamstring) is nearing a return but won’t be risked until he is match fit.
Ryan Bertrand (knee), Wesley Fofana (leg), Jonny Evans and Timothy Castagne (both thigh) remain absent.
Leeds could welcome Patrick Bamford back from a foot injury which has sidelined him in recent weeks.
Diego Llorente (hamstring) is a doubt but Liam Cooper, Kalvin Phillips (both hamstring), Leo Fuhr (knee) and Sam Greenwood (both knee) all remain absent.
Stat Attack
- Leicester are unbeaten in three of their last five Premier League meetings against Leeds (W2, D1, L2).
- Leeds have won four of nine previous Premier League away games against Leicester (W4, L5).
- Leicester are yet to concede a penalty in 19 previous Premier League meetings against Leeds.
- All four of Patson Daka’s league goals for Leicester this season have been scored at home.
- None of Leeds’ last eight managers have kept a clean sheet in their opening match (W2, D2, L4), since Leeds beat Bolton 1-0 in August 2014 in the first of his two stints as manager that season.
Prediction
Having claimed their first clean sheet since the turn of the year in their midweek win at Burnley, Leicester certainly come into this game with renewed confidence after a dominantly disciplined yet clinical display, which they certainly needed with maximum substitute impact.
Leeds meanwhile will be eager for a new manager bounce following Jesse Marsch’s appointment, yet their priority has to be tidying up their defensive performance after a lacklustre effort against Tottenham last weekend on top of wasted chances.
Tactics therefore are going to definitely be crucial but if Leicester play like they’ve done in recent matches, I fancy them to have the edge especially with Jamie Vardy back in the squad again.
Prediction: Leicester 2-1 Leeds
Result: Leicester 1-0 Leeds
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