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

Two sides struggling to impress in the 2021-22 Premier League season lock horns at Elland Road on Sunday as Leeds United play host to Leicester City.

Marcelo Bielsa's side scraped a 2-1 win over Norwich City last time out, while the Foxes went down 2-0 to an Aaron Ramsdale-inspired Arsenal.

Match preview

© Reuters

It was a day of spectacular goals for those in white at Carrow Road last weekend, as Leeds' encounter with Norwich exploded into life during a five-minute second-half flurry after a tame opening 56 minutes by comparison.

After Raphinha weaved his way through a sea of yellow shirts and fired home into the bottom corner, Norwich would hit back through Andrew Omobamidele's header, but Tim Krul allowed Rodrigo's long-distance effort to slip through his grasp in a frenetic four minutes.

The Whites would ultimately hang on to claim only their second Premier League win from 10 games in the 2021-22 season, with that result seeing them climb out of the drop zone into 17th, but they are still a far cry from where they were last term.

Defensive resilience was not exactly Leeds' forte last term either, and they can only boast one clean sheet from their 10 Premier League encounters so far this term, although that did come at home in a hard-fought success over Watford.

As dazzling and delightful as Raphinha has been for the Whites, the continued absence of Patrick Bamford will impact the hosts' ability to get over the line this week, although Leicester must still be wondering how they failed to make the net ripple against Arsenal.

© Reuters

Leicester were fighting an uphill battle early on against Arsenal following Gabriel's header and Emile Smith Rowe's well-taken finish before the 20-minute mark, and their efforts to claw the game back for the remaining 70 minutes went unrewarded.

James Maddison and Jonny Evans were both thwarted by a magnificent double save from Ramsdale - with the King Power already celebrating as Maddison's free kick seemed set to nestle into the top corner - and the Foxes eventually ran out of ideas in front of their own fans.

Leicester also saw their Europa League knockout aspirations take another hit in midweek, with Daniel Amartey cancelling out Victor Moses's strike in a 1-1 draw with Spartak Moscow, and the Foxes have lost a bit of momentum after previously winning four on the bounce in all competitions.

Defeat to the Gunners leaves Leicester 11th in the table as things stand, and they have now conceded two goals in four of their last five top-flight matches, while all five of Leicester's away games in the top-flight this term have seen both teams score.

Bielsa's side marched to a 3-1 win on Leicester's turf back in January after previously being thumped 4-1 at Elland Road, but not since 1999 have the hosts claimed back-to-back league wins over the 2015-16 Premier League champions.

Team News

© Reuters

Leeds boss Bielsa has confirmed that Bamford, Luke Ayling and Robin Koch will all remain sidelined this weekend, but Junior Firpo should be given the green light to make the squad.

The hosts are sweating over the fitness of Jamie Shackleton after the 22-year-old came off injured against Norwich, so it would not be a surprise to see Mateusz Klich recalled to the engine room.

Rodrigo is only yellow card away from being slapped with a one-game suspension, but the Spaniard is sure to continue up top alongside Jack Harrison this weekend.

As for Leicester, James Maddison and Harvey Barnes are among those to have been struck down by sickness bug in recent days, but Rodgers recently affirmed his hope that the duo will be fit for this game.

James Justin, Marc Albrighton and Wesley Fofana continue to recover from injuries, while Ricardo Pereira is touch and go and Wilfred Ndidi could be ready to challenge Boubakary Soumare for a spot in midfield.

Ayoze Perez may be forced to start two games in quick succession if Maddison does not make the cut, and Jamie Vardy prepares to return to the fold over Patson Daka.

Leeds United possible starting lineup:
Meslier; Llorente, Struijk, Cooper; Klich, Phillips, Dallas; Raphinha, Rodrigo, James; Harrison

Leicester City possible starting lineup:
Schmeichel; Amartey, Soyuncu, Evans; Pereira, Tielemans, Ndidi, Castagne; Maddison; Iheanacho, Vardy

We say: Leeds United 1-3 Leicester City

Neither Leeds nor Leicester have covered themselves in defensive glory this term, and the Foxes' recent bout of illness has not helped their existing absentee woes.

However, with Rodgers expecting to welcome some of his big-hitters back to the first XI this weekend, we are backing Leicester to respond in ideal fashion and pile more misery on Bielsa.

Previews by email