League overachievers Leicester City and Crystal Palace face each other at the King Power Stadium in what should be an entertaining contest tomorrow night.
The Foxes currently sit fifth on the table, having only lost one of their games to date. Palace are one point and one position behind the hosts, having won five games and lost four.
Claudio Ranieri’s side has been in outstanding form throughout, however, there are no doubt concerns over the way they have started many of their games this season, often giving the opponents a head start.
Palace will be looking to bounce back after their disappointing 3-1 home loss to West Ham last weekend, which was perhaps their poorest performance so far this campaign.
As with every game Leicester have been involved in since the ‘Tinkerman’ took over, it will be a contest worth watching.
Team News
Aside from the never-present Matthew James who is still recovering from a serious knee injury, Leicester boss Claudio Ranieri should have a full compliment of players from which to choose. Leonardo Ulloa recently picked up a knock, however, he is expected to be available against the Eagles and after their performances off the bench against Southampton, expect Riyad Mahrez and Nathan Dyer to start this time around.
Alan Pardew, on the other hand, will have significant selection headaches for this fixture. Dwight Gayle will miss through suspension, while other strikers Kwesi Appiah (possible ACL) and Marouane Chamakh (hamstring) will be unavailable. Doubts surround Connor Wickham, who is nursing a rib injury. Joel Ward also remains a doubt in defence.
With such a significant list of striking personnel on the sidelines, expect the manager to line-up with Yannick Bolasie in the No.9 position, as he has done previously this season.
Head-to-head
The Foxes and Crystal Palace have played on 34 previous occasions, with Leicester having won 12 compared to 11 for the Eagles and 11 draws.
Their last encounter saw a 1-0 victory to Palace at the King Power Stadium, thanks to a Joe Ledley header.
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Prediction
Expect a much better showing from the visitors this week, however, Leicester are proving to be an extremely difficult opponent this season. Both teams will set up to play fast football on the break (considering the striking options afforded to Pardew) and chances will be numerous.
Leicester to prevail at home in a close contest
Leicester City 2 Crystal Palace 1
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