Leicester City will be aiming to win their fifth EFL Championship game on the trot when they face Hull City this weekend
Leicester City will aim to keep their perfect start to the EFL Championship campaign intact when they take on Hull City at the King Power Stadium on Saturday night.
The Foxes have shown both ability and bottle when required as they aim to return to the Premier League at the first time of asking. Enzo Maresca’s men are the only side in the second division with a hundred percent win rate this season and will aim to keep that run going for at least another week.
Hull City might be five points adrift of the Foxes but have shown enough teeth this season, especially after going behind. The Tigers could prove themselves to be dogged opponents despite having to travel to the King Power Stadium.
This is the first time that both teams are facing each other since the 2016/17 season. Leicester City were the resigning Premier League champions then. It is funny how much can change in football in less than ten years.
Leicester City are comfortably the strongest side in the Championship, and it comes as no surprise that they have currently opened up a two-point lead at the top of the table. One could argue that Hull will present them with the biggest challenge they have faced so far, perhaps setting the tone for Maresca’s side in the upcoming matches. The Hard Tackle looks at how both sides could line up on the night and what tactics they might implement.
Team News & Tactics
Leicester City
We return to King Power Stadium this weekend 🤗#LEIHUL pic.twitter.com/mVYRwNHYBK
— Leicester City (@LCFC) August 31, 2023
Having won all of their competitive games this season, Leicester City will be in high spirits and will not be lacking in confidence. The Foxes have a largely settled squad getting the job done of late and Maresca will make few changes if any to disrupt that momentum.
However, the trio of Conor Coady, Alex Smithies and Dennis Praet will all miss out thanks to injuries. The Foxes have an otherwise fully fit squad to choose from and will be buoyed by home support for the game.
Leicester City are expected to line up in their trademark 4-3-3 formation, with Mads Hermansen in goal behind the backline of Ricardo Pereira, Wout Faes, Jannik Vestergaard and Callum Doyle.
The midfield three of the Foxes should be anchored by Chelsea loanee Cesare Casadei, who could make his full debut at home. He should be aided expertly by the experienced Harry Winks and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall in the middle of the park.
Kelechi Iheanacho is expected to get the nod upfront, with Jamie Vardy and Patson Daka both having to settle once more for the bench. Kasey McAteer and Stephy Mavididi should start out wide and provide the attacking impetus on the flanks. Yunus Akgun could come off the bench to make his home debut in the second half as well.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Hermansen; Pereira, Faes, Vestergaard, Doyle; Dewsbury-Hall, Casadei, Winks; McAteer, Iheanacho, Mavididi
Hull City
As befits their nickname, the Tigers have shown plenty of bite this season and could be considered among the surprise packages should they manage to attain consistency.
With two wins from their opening four games, Hull City have been patchy but effective in spells. Leicester City will do well to keep things tight and feel how Hull are approaching the game before playing their cards.
Liam Rosenior will be without Dogukan Sinik and Greg Docherty, both of whom are out injured. Ruben Vinagre returned to the bench for the game against Bristol City and could now be drafted into the starting XI for the trip to King Power Stadium.
Ozan Tufan is also struggling with an injury but he has scored four goals in the last two games for the club across all competitions. While Rosenior will take a late call, the 28-year-old should make the starting XI as long as he is fit to take to the field.
“Ozan (Tufan) has an issue with his thigh. We're just checking that over with him which is a big blow.
“I'm going to make a decision on his availability tomorrow when we get all of the reports back.”
An injury blow ahead of Saturday 🤕#hcafc pic.twitter.com/hKZoXnit3y
— Hull City (@HullCity) August 31, 2023
Leicester’s midfield has called the shots this season and stifling their impact will be key. By starting in a 4-2-3-1 formation, Hull could gain the advantage in numbers, swinging the pendulum in their favour.
Matt Ingram should start in goal behind the back four of Lewie Coyle, Alfie Jones, Sean McLoughlin and Ruben Vinagre. Regan Slater and Jean Michael Seri will form the double pivot, providing the muscle in the middle of the park.
Adama Traore and Scott Twine should provide the width with Ozan Tufan acting as the number ten. Liam Delap is expected to lead the line and could take advantage of any opportunities should Faes or Vestergaard slip up.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Ingram; Coyle, Jones, McLoughlin, Vinagre; Slater, Seri; Traore, Tufan, Twine; Delap
Key Stats
- Leicester City are unbeaten in their last five home games against Hull City in the league.
- Hull City have won just one of their last seven league games against Leicester City.
- A win on the night will see Leicester City win six league games on the trot for the first time since 2019.
- Hull City have secured six points from losing positions this season. This is the most of any side in the Championship.
- A win on the night will see Leicester City become just the third side to win their opening five games in the English second tier since the turn of the millennium.
Player to Watch
Cesare Casadei
The Chelsea loanee scored the winner on his debut for the Foxes and has impressed in a blue jersey since. A solid carrier of the ball, he is a dynamic presence in the middle of the park and can be a major asset for The Foxes in the season to come.
He is expected to make his full home debut on Saturday. If what we have seen is anything to go by, the Leicester fans will have much to look forward to.
Prediction
Leicester City 3-1 Hull City
Hull City are dogged opponents and could make life difficult for Leicester City. However, the Foxes have strength in depth and better quality on their side. Add to it their momentum and one can expect the Foxes to keep their perfect start to the campaign going.
