Leeds United at Leicester City preview: Another Carabao Cup Premier League tie
Leeds visit the King Power Stadium, home of manager-less Leicester City, for the 4th round of the Carabao (League) Cup.
Written by: Anthony Linley, @Fractured_Box
Leeds United found their scoring boots against Bristol City on Saturday and thus may see this game as less of a distraction than if they had lost against the Robins. They will now see this game as a chance of building a run and momentum.
Modern tradition is to field a weakened side in the League Cup and, with Leicester having a troubled start to their 2017/18 Premiership campaign, their focus will be more on league survival. I expect them to make many changes leaving stars on the bench.
Leeds too will make changes, however I won’t see the side that runs out against the Foxes as necessarily a weakened side, but one that gives opportunities to players who haven’t featured often but no less of a United player than those that started Saturday.
Klich, Anita, Roofe, Shaughnessy, Cibicki and Wiedwald could all feature as Leeds seek to progress.
Leeds are taking 3,300 to Leicester and those fans will want to see the type of commitment that got them through the 3rd round against Burnley.
The last time these two sides met at Leicester was in August 2014, the result that day was a goalless draw. If the full squad is utilised, that kind of scoreline would suit United well. The extra minutes would not affect players not likely to start Friday against Sheffield United, and that may be in TC’s mindset and the way he approaches the game. A penalty shoot out may be the aim again for Christiansen’s men.
Fans can also soak up the action via a ‘Beamback’ to Elland Road.
What we know about Leicester City
Having sacked manager Craig Shakespeare, Leicester will see Michael Appleton in charge on Tuesday. Appleton has previously managed Portsmouth, Blackpool, Blackburn and Oxford before Leicester.
They reached the 4th round of the Carabao Cup by defeating Sheffield United in the 2nd round and Liverpool in the 3rd.
Their biggest spend of the summer was Kelechi Iheanacho, a snip at £25million from Manchester City. The Foxes also spent big on Hull City’s Harry Maguire for £17 million and Vincente Iborra from Seville for £15 million.
They are currently 14th in the Premiership and just one point from the relegation zone.
Injuries and Suspensions
Berardi is suspended following his head butt Saturday (c’mon ref!). Dallas is still on compassionate leave and although edging closer, Ekuban remains out.
For Leicester, Robert Huth (foot) and Matty James (achilles) are both doubtful.
Form
Leeds United: W | L | L | L | W
Leicester: D | L | D | D | W
Head to Head
At Leicester, there have been 62 meetings. Leeds have won 15, Leicester 26 and the rest (21) resulted in draws.
WHAT
Leicester City vs. Leeds United
Carabao Cup Fourth Round
#LEILEE
WHERE
King Power Stadium, Leicester
LUTV, BBC Radio Leeds, Elland Road Beamback, ESPN3
WHEN
Tuesday, 23 October 2017
7:45pm BT
WHO
Leeds United’s predicted starting XI
Wiedwald, Borthwick-Jackson, Jansson, Shaughnessy, Anita, Phillips, Vieira, Roofe, Hernandez, Cibicki, Grot
Leicester City’s predicted starting XI
Hamer, Chillwell, Simpson, Maguire, Morgan, Amartey, Slimani, Albrighton, Ndidi, Oborra, Ulloa
ODDS
Leeds 11/2
Regulation Draw 16/5
Leicester 1/2
PREDICTION
A sterling display by the Whites will see them hold out against a weakened Premiership side. After extra time and penalties, Leeds progress. 1–1 in normal play.
