Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds United side travel to face Leicester City on Sunday (2pm).
The Whites head to the King Power Stadium in what will be another tough Premier League fixture. Leeds will be looking for back-to-back victories away from home on Sunday, after taking the three points at St James’ Park on Tuesday evening.
The Foxes - managed by Brendan Rodgers - have yet again been in fine form this campaign and sit in third place in the table. Wednesday’s away draw at Everton ended a five-match winning run in all competitions, but extended their current unbeaten run to nine matches.
On the road this season, United have not drawn a match. From their 10 matches, they have won five and lost five. That impressive record will bring optimism to the camp, as Sunday’s hosts have lost five matches this season, with four of those coming on home turf.
If as expected, Jamie Vardy is still missing from the Leicester line-up on Sunday, the choice will be either Ayoze Perez or Kelechi Iheanacho to lead the line for Rodgers’ outfit. Both players are equally dangerous and will have to be watched, with the support of goal-scoring midfielders Harvey Barnes and James Maddison backing them up.
Speaking of goal-scoring midfielders, both Jack Harrison and Raphinha found the net on Tuesday evening against Newcastle. Harrison is now on four goals this season, backed up with four assists as well. Raphinha has three goals - which have all come away from home - and also follows that up with three assists.
Stuart Dallas, Rodrigo and Mateusz Klich also have three for Leeds, showing that they pose threats from all over the pitch. An entertaining clash - with an attacking expectation from both teams - awaits us.
Manager/head coach
Leicester: Brendan Rodgers
Leeds: Marcelo Bielsa
League position
Leicester: 3rd
Leeds: 12th
Premier League form
Leicester: DWWWD
Leeds: WWLLW
Premier League top scorer
Leicester: Jamie Vardy (11)
Leeds: Patrick Bamford (10)
Head to head
Leicester: 44
Draws: 33
Leeds: 47
Last time at the King Power Stadium
Tuesday 24h October, 2017
EFL Cup - Round Four
Leicester City 3 (Iheanacho 30’, Slimani 71’, Mahrez 88’)
Leeds United 1 (Hernandez 26’)
Team news
The big miss for the Foxes will be top-scorer, James Vardy. The forward who has 11 goals this season is still expected to be out following a hernia operation. Wilfred Ndidi will also be missing with a hamstring injury. In positive news for the hosts, central-defender Jonny Evans is likely to return.
Marcelo Bielsa has confirmed that there are no fresh injury concerns ahead of the trip, with the exception of Diego Llorente who had to be substituted in the win over Newcastle. That may mean another start for Pascal Struijk, who replaced Llorente at St James’ Park.
Officials
Referee - Chris Kavanagh
Assistant Referee 1 - Dan Cook
Assistant Referee 2 - Sian Massey-Ellis
Fourth Official - Anthony Taylor
Video Assistant Referee - Mike Dean
The key battle
James Maddison vs Kalvin Phillips
With the absence of Jamie Vardy, the blistering pace and attacking-movement of Harvey Barnes will be key to Leicester. The winger - who has also been deployed as a striker when needed - will constantly look to get in behind the defence, so the key to stopping that is by preventing James Maddison from finding him.
The England international is well-known for his passing ability and will look to find space between the midfield and defence, get on the ball, and thread those passes through. Stopping him from doing just that will be fellow England international, Kalvin Phillips.
Phillips won’t just have the job of denying Maddison, though. He will indeed look to get on the ball himself and start attacks for the Whites, also having the ability to pinpoint an ever dangerous and scoring striker on his side too, the 10 goal Patrick Bamford.
Latest odds
Leicester: 4/5
Draw: 29/10
Leeds: 3/1
How to watch
The game will be broadcast on Sky Sports, with live commentary on LUTV.
