Hopes are lifted in the Leicester City camp following a strong performance at Turf Moor, grabbing a clean sheet in 2-0 victory over Burnley. Despite James Maddison opening the scoring, it was Jamie Vardy who stole the show, grabbing a late goal after coming off the bench alongside providing the assist for Maddison's goal as well. The man may have had injuries, but Vardy shows that bumps and bruises are nothing when you have quality such as his.
Leeds United, however, have been stunned with ten goals conceded in their two games, albeit against top-quality attacking opposition, which eventually lead to the sacking of club legend Marcelo Bielsa and his subsequent replacement Jesse Marsch taking the job, and it's safe to say that his job to keep the Yorkshire club in the Premier League is a monumental mountain to climb.
Team News...
For the first time in four years, there is a cloud of doubt passing over the Leeds United team sheet, leading fans to wonder which players will be included in Jesse Marsch's team for the trip to the King Power.
One strong possibility is that Marsch will rely on experience in his first game managing in the Premier League, with Luke Ayling and Adam Forshaw filling leadership roles in the Leeds United squad which would seem to be the most logical move against a Leicester side that is packed with quality and experience in the top flight.
Fans have also wondered whether Marsch will come in and completely change the squad in a response to the poor performances shown in Leeds' last few games, others have come to the conclusion that Marsch will deploy similar tactics and set up his team in a similar way to his predecessor, and, as referred to earlier, field a side with as much quality and experience possible in an attempt to get the three points at the King Power.
As for Leicester, the main question that fans will be asking is that whether Jamie Vardy will start after his impressive return to Premier League action against Burnley, turning the prospect of a draw at Turf Moor in a solid three points with his goal and assist. In a recent press conference, manger Brendan Rodgers highlighted that whether he will start or not "remains to be seen" so watch this space.
However, other important player that are doubts are James Maddison and Ricardo Pereira, with Rodgers stating that there "a couple of issues" with the pair of them over "whether they will be ready for the game or whether we will have to wait for next week" which cannot be good news for Leicester fans staring down the barrel of another tough game against a side that may be pumped with the new-manager-bounce.
The Managers Have Their Say...
In their most recent press conferences, both Brendan Rodgers and Jesse Marsch has their say over how they both intend to deal with Marsch's first appearance in the Premier League. Here's what they both had to say on the matter.
Leicester City Manager Brendan Rodgers:
"It takes time to put in place your ideas. They will be physically in good condition. They have talented players, and some very good British players who have formed the foundation of their success. It will be more traditional. Jesse has said himself, it will be more zonal pressure. There’s so much footage now, so you have a good idea of how they will work. He will want to impose his own signature on the team.”
Leeds United Manager Jesse Marsch:
"We know we don’t have a lot of time and we have to find success quickly."
"This is a big league in a big moment and we have to get points to make sure this team is where it deserves to be."
"My focus is not on the Championship, it's on finding ways that we will be in the Premier League. But I am committed to being here no matter what the situation."
"I don't have to be Marcelo Bielsa. I need to be myself. I’ve followed Marcelo's career and respected a lot of what he did, but I am different and I have my own ways."
Predicted XIs...
Leicester City: Kasper Schmeichel, Marc Albrighton, Daniel Amartey, Çağlar Söyüncü, Luke Thomas, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Wilfred Ndidi, Youri Tielemans, Ademola Lookman, Harvey Barnes, Patson Daka
Leeds United: Illan Meslier, Luke Ayling, Diego Llorente, Pascal Struijk, Junior Firpo, Adam Forshaw, Stuart Dallas, Rodrigo, Jack Harrison, Raphinha, Joe Gelhardt.
Ones To Watch...
Kasper Schmeichel
Despite being the son of Manchester United legend Peter Schmeichel, Kasper has far from capitulated under the shadow of his father, being an ever-present servant for the Foxes, being one of the stars of the show when Leicester won the Premier League in 2016.
The reason why the Dane is being picked out for this one is because, following his appearance against Burnley, he collected the joint-third highest number of appearances in Leicester City history with 460, and is more than likely going to surpass that number as the days go by, needing 97 more to reach Adam Black in second place.
When Brendan Rodgers was asked about the milestone, he had this to say.
“It’s an incredible achievement. It’s a testament to his desire to stay fit and his professionalism and his consistency in his performances.”
If anyone is going to be the one to drag Leeds through the situation they find themselves in, the odds would certainly be favouring Brazilian winger Raphinha.
The man has been simply brilliant since joining from Rennais in 2020, proving to be the difference maker more often than not for Leeds, providing nine goals this season which is double the number of any other Leeds player this season.
His left foot is consistently magical, as well as taking up responsibility for the majority of Leeds' set pieces as well as penalties in the absence of the injured Patrick Bamford.
If Leicester want to win this game, keeping that man quiet is going to be essential.
How To Watch...
Leicester City vs Leeds United will be shown on BT Sport 1, kicking off at 12:30PM (GMT).