Preview: Leicester City vs. Leeds United - prediction, team news, lineups

Leeds United will begin life under their new head coach Jesse Marsch with a trip to the King Power Stadium on Saturday afternoon to take on Leicester City.

Marsch has taken charge of a Leeds side that currently sit down in 16th position in the Premier League table, while an inconsistent Leicester occupy 12th heading into the next set of fixtures.

Match preview

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Leicester have been some way short of a top-four challenging team this season, with a total of 30 points from 24 matches leaving them down in 12th position in the table, but they will enter Saturday's contest off the back of a morale-boosting 2-0 success at Burnley on Tuesday night.

James Maddison and Jamie Vardy were both on the scoresheet in the latter stages of the contest at Turf Moor, and the victory proved to be Leicester's first in the Premier League since the end of December.

The Foxes are only actually three points behind 10th-placed Brighton & Hove Albion and have two games in hand on the Seagulls, while they have three in hand on Crystal Palace directly above them.

As a result, there is still plenty for Brendan Rodgers's side to play for this season, with a top-half finish certainly achievable, while they will face Rennes in the next round of the Europa Conference League, with the first leg set to take place at the King Power Stadium on March 10.

Leicester actually lost 3-1 to Leeds in the corresponding match during the 2020-21 campaign, while they have struggled for consistency at home this term, picking up just 18 points from 12 matches.

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Leeds have one of the worst away records in the Premier League this term, though, collecting just 10 points from 13 matches, while they have conceded a worrying 35 goals on their travels in 2021-22.

Marcelo Bielsa has now left his position at the helm, with former RB Leipzig head coach Marsch confirmed as his replacement on February 28, and the 48-year-old will be aware of the size of the task at Elland Road.

The Whites were so impressive in the Premier League last season, finishing ninth on their return to the top flight, but they have found it difficult to compete this term, picking up just 23 points from 16 matches, which has left them in 16th, just two points ahead of 18th-placed Burnley, who have a game in hand.

Newcastle United have pulled themselves out of trouble in recent weeks, while Everton are just a point behind Leeds with two games in hand, so the former Championship club are in a very tough spot in the table.

The visitors will enter this match off the back of four straight losses in the league, conceding 17 times in the process, with their last success in England's top flight coming away to West Ham United on January 16.

Team News

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Leicester will again be missing Timothy Castagne, Jonny Evans, James Justin, Wesley Fofana and Ryan Bertrand for this weekend's contest, while Ricardo Pereira will have a late fitness test on a hamstring issue.

Maddison and Vardy both came off the bench to score against Burnley, and it would not be a surprise to see the pair in the starting XI on Saturday afternoon, although the former is carrying a lower back issue.

Ademola Lookman could also be in line for a start if Marc Albrighton is pressed into action at right-back, while Daniel Amartey should again feature alongside Caglar Soyuncu at the heart of the defence.

As for Leeds, Marsch revealed during his pre-match press conference that Patrick Bamford is back in training, and the striker could potentially be on the bench this weekend.

Liam Cooper, Kalvin Phillips and Leo Hjelde are also still absent, while Diego Llorente has emerged as a fresh doubt, having missed training on Thursday.

Marsch is believed to be considering lining up in a back three at the King Power Stadium, although Llorente's fitness could play a role in his final decision, while Raphinha, Jack Harrison and Daniel James should feature as the attacking trident, with Bamford potentially appearing off the bench.

Leicester City possible starting lineup:
Schmeichel; Albrighton, Amartey, Soyuncu, Thomas; Tielemans, Ndidi; Lookman, Maddison, Barnes; Vardy

Leeds United possible starting lineup:
Meslier; Ayling, Koch, Llorente; Dallas, Forshaw, Klich, Firpo; Raphinha, James, Harrison

We say: Leicester City 2-1 Leeds United

The Leeds players will be looking to impress their new manager this weekend, and we are expecting a much-improved performance from the visitors. Leicester were impressive against Burnley last time out, though, and we are backing the Foxes to collect all three points in front of their own supporters.

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