Last season’s escape artists, Leicester City and Sunderland, go head-to-head at the King Power Stadium on Saturday for an important three points to kickstart their respective campaigns.
The beginning of the season means it is tough to judge the form of either team. Both sides will be looking to make significant improvements across the park and this fixture will showcase any progress made in the offseason.
Leicester’s preseason has been one of transition. With new manager Claudio Ranieri, the Foxes have had strong outings recently, choosing to remain on English soil against Burton Albion and Rotheram United, edging each game 2-1.
Sunderland, by contrast, have retained the services of miracle man Dick Advocaat for this season. The Black Cats embarked on the increasingly popular tour of the United States, including a 2-1 victory over Jemain Defoe’s former employers Toronto FC, yet losing 3-1 to Pachuca. In their most recent outing, Sunderland defeated German outfit Hannover in another positive preseason result.
Each side will see this fixture as a great chance to earn three early points, while also gaining a yardstick against a team likely to be in a similar position at season’s end.
Key Battle – Leicester’s attackers vs Sunderland’s new boys
Sunderland’s new-look defence, with the likes of Younes Kaboul, Adam Matthews and Sebstian Coates, will have their hands full with the breadth of attacking options Leicester possess. With the likes of Jamie Vardy, Riyad Mahrez, Andrej Kramaric, Leonardo Ulloa and new signing Shinji Okazaki on the counter, it could be a difficult day for the new Black Cats.
Team News
Leicester will be without Matthew James, who will be sidelined long-term following his serious knee injury. Otherwise, they have a full squad to choose from, including new signings Okazaki, Christian Fuchs, N’Golo Kante, Robert Huth and Yohan Benalouane. This fixture may come too early for Benalouane to start, however such is the importance of Kante’s arrival, expect him to make an immediate and significant impact on the squad.
Leicester Expected XI (3-4-3): Schmeichel (GK); Huth, Morgan, Fuchs; Schlupp, Kante, King, Mahrez; Vardy, Kramaric, Okazaki.
Sunderland are unlikely to have the services of Danny Graham who picked up a knock recently, and Jordi Gomez, who is still recovering from a fractured kneecap. Jermain Lens, the exciting signing from Dynamo Kiev, will likely feature in his first competitive fixture, looking to provide the creative spark that Sunderland often lacked throughout last season.
Sunderland Expected XI (4-2-3-1): Pantillimon (GK); Jones, Coates, Kaboul, Matthews; Cattermole, Rodwell; Lens, Larsson, Johnson; Defoe.
Head-to-Head
Overall, Leicester and Sunderland have met on 82 occasions, with Leicester having won 31, Sunderland 29 and 22 draws.
Previous Meeting
Leicester and Sunderland last met in May this year at the Stadium of Light, and was effectively the game that secured Leicester’s position in the top flight for this upcoming season. The game resulted in a 0-0 draw, with Leicester dropping deeper in the second half despite a flowing first half, seemingly content with one point and the ensuing safety.
Sunderland attacked throughout the entire 90 minutes, however neither team lacked a final product, indicative of both teams’ seasons.
Prediction
Given the previous encounters between these two teams (despite changes in personnel), this could be another low-scoring, close encounter. With additions such as Lens for Sunderland and Okazaki for the Foxes, there may be some added polish to both sides, perhaps providing goals to a fixture which has recently delivered few.
Expect the game to be relatively cagey to begin, which may open up as players fatigue in their first competitive outing.
Leicester City 1 Sunderland 1
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