Leicester City will look to increase their lead at the top of the table when they host Leeds United in the Championship. If they can win in the East Midlands, the visitors to the King Power Stadium can get to within six points of second-place Ipswich Town.
Preview (Leicester City vs. Leeds United)
When 2023–24 got underway, everyone expected Leeds and Leicester to be fighting for automatic promotion. That prediction has been ruined by Ipswich. The Tractor Boys are now nine points ahead of Leeds in third. Leicester has outperformed expectations to firmly establish themselves in first place. They have won 13 of their 14 second-tier games. Their most recent was last weekend away at Queens Park Rangers. Harry Winks struck an incredible goal 10 minutes from time to lead them 2-1.
Although Enzo Maresca’s team did not play particularly convincingly, nor did they play particularly well against Sunderland earlier in the week, it was still a maximum return during a period when the teams in third and lower have not been consistent since the beginning of August. With only eight goals conceded in 14 Championship games this season, Leicester’s defense has been their most outstanding feature. They haven’t let up more than one goal in any of their games. Leeds will take note of the fact that they have only allowed three goals in their last seven games.
Daniel Farke’s team has scored seven goals in their last three games. It included a 3-2 victory at Norwich City and a 4-1 victory over Huddersfield Town. Their only loss in five games is a 1-0 loss at Stoke City. The Yorkshire giants can at least go into this game as the best of the rest outside the promotion slots. Leeds’ long-term goal is to pass Ipswich for the runner-up position, but they will need to improve their away performance because they have already suffered three losses away from home. Leicester is currently 14 points ahead of Leeds. Joel Piroe has only scored one goal in six games during this period. In the five games that Cristencio Summerville has played, he has scored five goals and provided three assists.
Team News
Maresca will alter his lineup after the victory against QPR, probably bringing back players like Ricardo Pereira and Out Faes to the defense. Jamie Vardy might not be preferred above Kelechi Iheanacho. Kasey McAteer might be reinstated on one of the sides after recovering from a hamstring injury. But Wilfred Ndidi is probably going to be out due to a muscular injury. It means Cesare Casadei will be able to continue playing in midfield.
Leeds will evaluate Sam Byram, Joe Rodon, and Summerville in the interim after they were all forced to withdraw against Huddersfield due to fitness concerns. Out of the three, Liam Cooper will likely fill in for Rodon due to his hamstring issue, while the other two will likely miss out due to minor muscle problems.
Leicester City 2 – 1 Leeds United
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