The King Power Stadium will play hosts to Leicester City and Burnley as both teams hope to get out of their recent slump to gain momentum in the Premier League.
Since Leicester City’s opening weekend victory over Wolves, the Foxes have collected three points just once and languish 12th on the table, just above Arsenal on goal difference. Their position and overall form highlight their disappointing start to the Premier League season after building plenty of expectations during pre-season.
The Foxes are also yet to win at home this season, as they have continued their patchy form at the King Power Stadium, where they have lost the last four Premier League fixtures. The latest victory over Milwall in the Carabao Cup will be a welcome boost for Brendan Rodgers’ side, who will now look forward to keeping momentum against Burnley in the league.
The manager will be hoping to regain some much-needed form to challenge the established top-four clubs or finish the season in under a sixth place. Meanwhile, visitors Burnley come into the game desperate for positive results after a poor start to their season. The defeat by Arsenal in the last round pushed the Clarets into the relegation zone, sitting just above Norwich with a solitary point to show.
After they pushed in the second half for a valuable equaliser, Sean Dyche will have been pleased by his side’s mature showing against Arsenal. Despite showing a positive attitude in that game, the Gunners held their own to beat Burnley in their own game.
However, Dyche will be pleased with the club’s result against Rochdale, as they beat them comfortably and reach the fourth round of the Carabao Cup. The manager will urge his players to show their credibility in the league and look to test Leicester City’s resolve at the King Power Stadium.
Team News & Tactics
Leicester City
Brendan Rodgers’ injury troubles at the back are easing up slowly after Jonny Evans completed ninety minutes against Milwall during their midweek cup clash. The manager is unlikely to risk the Northern Ireland defender into action straight away against a physical Burnley side.
Wesley Fofana and James Justin are the only absentees for this clash, as Rodgers will evaluate his squad to find a balanced starting XI. The manager will look to field a back-four to allow a more attacking style of football to develop in the final third.
Jannik Vestergaard and Caglar Soyuncu are expected to form the central defensive pairing, with Ryan Bertrand, and Timothy Casatagne set to take up full-back roles in the backline. Wilfried Ndidi and Youri Tielemans will form the central midfield pivot.
Patson Daka was a surprise exclusion from the lineup during midweek, meaning Rodgers could look to use him against Burnley, preferably on the right side of the attack. Harvey Barnes and James Maddison will complete the lineup as they play behind striker Jamie Vardy.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Schmeichel; Castagne, Soyuncu, Vestergaard, Bertrand; Ndidi, Tielemans; Daka, Maddison, Barnes; Vardy
Burnley
After four defeats and a draw in the Premier League so far, Dyche is inclined to make necessary changes to his lineup. He might move away from several players to improve the mentality and style of his team. Since the midweek Cup tie, some players are deemed doubtful for the Foxes game.
Josh Brownhill suffered a dead leg against Rochdale and will be assessed before the game. Dale Stephens, Kevin Long and Connor Roberts also missed the midweek clash and remain doubts despite suggestions they might be made available.
Dyche will make some changes to his midfield, as Johann Berg Gudmundsson looks set to be replaced in the lineup with new signing Maxwell Cornet. The former Lyon star was a bright spot against Arsenal last weekend, and during his full debut in midweek, he got a first assist for the club.
Four-goal hero Jay Rodriguez will surely come into the side after that terrific performance against Rochdale and will likely replace Ashley Barnes. Chris Wood’s place remains unchanged, as Dyche seeks a positive result against Leicester to kickstart the club’s season.
Probable Lineup (4-4-2): Pope; Lowton, Mee, Tarkowski, Taylor; Cornet, Westwood, Cork, McNeil; Wood, Rodriguez
Key Stats
- Burnley have lost seven of their last eight matches in the Premier League.
- Leicester are unbeaten in their previous ten home games against Burnley in all competitions.
- Burnley are yet to win a Premier League game this season.
- Leicester are yet to win at home in the Premier League this season.
- Burnley have won just once in their last six games against Leicester.
Player to Watch
Jamie Vardy
Despite being 34-years-old, Jamie Vardy has been sensational in Leicester City colours and has continued to be among the goals this season. In the five games, the striker has three goals and an assist to show for his cause, despite the team’s collective struggles.
The talismanic striker needs to continue his scoring form to give hope to the Foxes of climbing up the table and being placed among the top sides. A goal or two against Burnley will be enough to keep his juices flowing while inspiring his teammates to put together a run of good results and end their dismal slump.
Prediction
Leicester City 2-1 Burnley
Burnley have to come up with a positive response to the dismal start to their season, and there’s no better way than a win over the Foxes. However, Brendan Rodgers’ side are looking for an upturn in form and will be hungry to pile more pressure on Sean Dyche & co.
Leicester have the necessary quality that probably is lacking at Burnley, as the Foxes’ frontline will prove problematic for the Clarets’ defence. Although Burnley’s recent form suggests they might not be far away from finding the net. Nonetheless, expect the home side to secure all three points from this tricky encounter.
