Marcelo Bielsa’s side return to Elland Road on Monday evening (8pm), where they will face 2015/16 Premier League champions, Leicester City. Both teams come into the match after excellent away victories. The Whites comfortably beat Aston Villa 3-0, whereas opponents Leicester ended an unwanted 47 year winless in away games against Arsenal, taking all three points courtesy of a 1-0 victory. The visitors have begun the season well, winning four and losing two in their opening six matches. That run has included victories in all three away games so far for Brendan Rodgers’ side, beating West Bromwich Albion (3-0), Manchester City (5-2) and the previously mentioned, Arsenal. Leeds sit just two points behind Leicester having won three, drawn one and lost two in the first six matches upon their return to the Premier League.
Manager/head coach
Leeds United: Marcelo Bielsa
Leicester City: Brendan Rodgers
League position
Leeds United: 12th
Leicester City: 8th
Premier League form
Leeds United: WWDLW
Leicester City: WWLLW
Premier League top scorer
Leeds United: Patrick Bamford (6)
Leicester City: Jamie Vardy (6)
Head to head
Leeds United wins: 47
Draws: 34
Leicester City: 42
Last time at Elland Road
Saturday 18th January 2014
Sky Bet Championship
Leeds United 0
Leicester City 1 (Nugent, 87)
Team news
Marcelo Bielsa has revealed Liam Cooper could return, but Diego Llorente will still be unavailable after picking up an injury on international duty. Kalvin Phillips is continuing his treatment for the injury picked up against Wolves in our last home match, so will also be missing against Leicester. Gaetano Berardi and Adam Forshaw remain out as long-term injuries. Jamie Shackelton will be looking for more match time after playing so well against Aston Villa, with Pascal Struijk remaining an option for both the defensive midfield and central defensive positions. Ricardo Pereira is a long term absentee for Leicester. Caglar Soyuncu and Daniel Amartey are also doubts after missing the last two matches for the Foxes.
Officials
Referee - Andre Marriner
Assistant Referee 1 - Scott Ledger
Assistant Referee 2 - Richard West
Fourth Official - Robert Jones
Video Assistant Referee - Lee Mason
The key battle
Patrick Bamford vs Jamie Vardy
They won’t be facing up positionally, but stats wise, both strikers have scored six goals so far in the Premier League. Bamford’s last game saw him net a hat-trick against Aston Villa, whereas Vardy’s last game saw him score the only goal as Leicester won away at Arsenal. The strikers are on top form for their clubs and will be looking go ahead of one another in the goal-scoring charts on Monday evening. This will mean that defences at both ends will need to be fully alert, at all times.
Latest odds
Leeds United: 8/5
Draw: 13/5
Leicester City: 6/4
(Odds correct at time of article published)
How to watch
Monday's game will be live on Sky Sports. Live audio commentary is also available on LUTV. Click here for more information.
