Leicester City will be aiming to pull away at the top of the Championship when they welcome Stoke City on Saturday night.
The last time Leicester City and Stoke City faced off in the EFL Championship, both clubs suffered contrasting fortunes. The goalless draw on the final day of the 2007/08 campaign saw the Potters promoted to the Premier League, while Leicester dropped down to League One.
Much has since changed. Stoke City have long since dropped out of the top flight, while the Foxes made it to the Premier League, won it, got relegated and are now pushing to return to the promised land.
Enzo Maresca’s men put up a strong second hand showing midweek to secure a 3-0 win over Preston North End at the King Power Stadium. They will be banking on home support once again this weekend as the Potters come calling.
Leicester at 27 points are two points off second placed Ipswich Town, with third-placed Preston North End further back at 20 points. As long as they remain consistent, the Foxes could run away with top spot as the Championship table takes shape.
Stoke City, meanwhile, have won just one of their last five games and are just two points off the bottom three. A loss this weekend could see them plummet down the table if other results also go against them. The Hard Tackle looks at how both sides could line up on Sunday and what tactics they might employ.
Team News & Tactics
Leicester City
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— Leicester City (@LCFC) October 5, 2023
A solid defence has been the bedrock of Leicester’s quick start to the season. The Foxes have conceded a mere six goals in the first ten games so far. Backed by an industrious midfield and an attack that is starting to find its rhythm, Maresca’s men are on the right track to redemption.
Leicester City managed to retain several top flight worthy talents and now that quality is showing. It is clear to see why they were among the favourites to secure promotion and from what we have seen so far, nothing has changed in that regard.
Such has been the impact of the players taking to the field that Dennis Praet has not been missed. He continues to recover from injury alongside Tom Cannon who is nursing a back issue. Jason McAteer is also missing as he deals with a hamstring injury.
The 4-3-3 formation is likely to be retained, with the impressive Mads Hermansen in goal. He should be protected by the back four of Ricardo Pereira, Wout Faes, Conor Coady and James Justin.
Harry Winks should act as the anchor in the middle of the park, with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Wilfred Ndidi pushing forward. Jamie Vardy is likely to lead the line again with Abdul Fatawu Issahaku and Stephy Mavididi in support.
Dewsbury-Hall scored twice midweek and is coming into his own as a reliable performer. As long as he has a good game, Leicester appear to be ticking all the boxes.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Hermansen; Pereira, Faes, Coady, Justin; Ndidi, Winks, Dewsbury-Hall; Fatawu, Vardy, Mavididi
Stoke City
The Potters have won just three of their opening ten games and are closer to the bottom of the table than to the top. They go into the tie against Leicester City as the underdogs, knowing full well that a fall down the table should see them embroiled in a bitter fight to avoid relegation.
Facing Leicester is made all the more harder as Alex Neil will be without Lewis Baker and Ryan Mmaee, both of whom are injured. Enda Stevens is also nursing a calf issue and should be unavailable for selection this weekend.
Neil is likely to retain a 4-4-2 formation, with Mark Travers in goal. He should be provided with a back four consisting of Ki-Jana Hoever, Luke McNally, Ben Wilmot and Junior Tchamadeu.
Gaffer fixes focus on those fit to face the Foxes.
Full interview 👉 https://t.co/mOyDfqBPTm
— Stoke City FC (@stokecity) October 5, 2023
Ben Pearson should form the base of the diamond midfield, with Josh Laurent and Daniel Johnson acting as facilitators to carry the ball upfield. The trio should provide Sead Haksabanovic the opportunity to thrive in the number ten’s role. Mehdi Leris and Nathan Lowe will start upfront and will aim to make a difference against a resolute Foxes rearguard.
Probable Lineup (4-4-2): Travers; Hoever, McNally, Wilmot, Tchamadeu; Laurent, Pearson, Johnson, Haksabanovic; Leris, Lowe
Key Stats
- Leicester City are on a six game unbeaten run in the league against Stoke City. They last lost to the Potters in the league in 2015.
- This is the first meeting between the teams in the Championship since the final matchday of the 2007/08 campaign.
- Leicester City have a hundred percent record against teams managed by Alex Neil, winning two of their encounters so far.
- A win on the night will see Stoke City win back to back league games for the first time since February/March 2023.
Player to Watch
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall
With James Maddison and Harvey Barnes both gone in the summer, it is Dewsbury-Hall’s time to shine. The 24-year-old has been sensational for Leicester City and is coming off a match-winning performance against Preston North End earlier in the week.
The 24-year-old will once again try to carry the ball forward and impact proceedings further upfield on the night. Dewsbury-Hall has thrived thanks to the solidity offered by Harry Winks and should continue to make a positive difference for the Foxes.
Prediction
Leicester City 2-0 Stoke City
The Foxes are at home and in top form to boot. The disparity between the two teams is far too great and it will be a monumental shock should the Potters prevail. Enzo Maresca has both quality and depth at his disposal. Unless there is a surprise, Leicester City should romp home to a comfortable win on the night.