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    Leicester City vs Leeds United news: Foxes out to ruin Jesse Marsch's big debut

    Seb SternikSeb Sternik4 March 2022
    Leicester City's James Maddison (centre) celebrates scoring their side's first goal of the game during the Premier League match at Turf Moor, Burnley.

    Leicester City's James Maddison (centre) celebrates scoring their side's first goal of the game during the Premier League match at Turf Moor, Burnley.

    A new era beckons for Leeds United as Jesse Marsch makes his managerial bow in the Premier League against an improving Leicester City side.

    With many Leeds fans still reeling from the sacking of Marcelo Bielsa, Marsch could certainly do with a few positive results to lift the mood at the club. 

    The West Yorkshire side enter the weekend 16th in the table, but could jump two places with a win ahead of the three o'clock kick-offs.

    The Whites are still missing a number of key players, but they will be buoyed by their impressive form away at the King Power Stadium. Leeds are unbeaten in their last five league visits to Leicester, but maintaining that run could be a challenge.

    For the last two or three months, Brendan Rodgers has endured arguably his worst managerial spell since his final days at Liverpool back in 2015.

    However, with the Foxes winning three of their last four games - admittedly two of them being in the Europa Conference League - perhaps the tide is beginning to change.

    When: Saturday, March 5, 12:30 GMT

    Where: King Power Stadium, Leicester

    Where to watch: BT Sport

    Follow this game via our score centre

    Who is the ref for Leicester City vs Leeds United

    David Coote will be the man in the middle as he takes charge of his 16th Premier League game this season.

    This will be his first fixture involving Leicester City and second with Leeds United having previously officiated their 1-0 defeat away at Southampton.

    Season stats 2021/22: Premier League matches (15), yellow cards (66), red cards (2), penalties (3)

    Recent form

    Leicester's 2-0 win over Burnley last Tuesday night ended their five-match winless run in the Premier League.

    While that may not sound like a good run of form, the Foxes have enjoyed morale boosting Europa Conference League wins in-between.

    Danish side Randers might not be on the level of Premier League opposition, but with Leicester in poor form, their 7-2 aggregate victory is likely to have lifted spirits during a difficult time.

    Leeds, in contrast, are in serious crisis mode. Jesse Marsch comes into a team which has lost five of their last six games and conceded 21 goals in the process.

    Most recently, the Whites fell to a 4-0 defeat against Tottenham. However, that scoreline doesn't take into account the fact that Leeds missed a couple of sitters - including Stuart Dallas who failed to score despite rounding goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.

    Goals have become a big problem for Leeds who haven't scored in two games and bagged just two efforts across their last four outings.

    Last time out

    Leeds United 1-1 Leicester City (Premier League - November 7, 2021)

    When the two teams clashed earlier in the season, Leicester were able to take a point back home after coming from behind in quick fashion.

    Raphinha opened the scoring in the 26th minute as Leeds capitalised on a quick start.
    However, Leicester were able to produce an immediate response as Harvey Barnes found the back of the net just two minutes later.

    Players in form

    Leeds might be struggling for results, but one man who continues to impress is Raphinha.
    The Brazilian hit the woodwork in the 4-0 defeat to Tottenham and was arguably the best player in Marcelo Bielsa's team that day.
    The 25-year-old is Leeds United's top scorer and if the Whites are to trouble Leicester, Raphinha will have to be on top form once more.
    With regards to the Foxes, keep your eyes on Jamie Vardy.
    The former England international marked his return with a goal against Burnley.
    Despite missing a significant number of games, Vardy remains Leicester's top scorer. The 35-year-old has scored 10 goals this season, which is three more than the next best City player, James Maddison.

    Managers' thoughts

    Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers on the managerial change at Leeds: "I think it will be different. Marcelo is a big loss to the Premier League, as much for the human qualities he showed. It’s a big loss for the city, he was a father figure. He was admired there, and by managers.

    "I spent some time with him while he was here. The game is a circus now, but he brought old-school values. He was not taken in by everything that goes around the modern game. It was what football used to be like. He will be a loss. Leeds will go again.

    New Leeds United head coach Jesse Marsch on what the fans can expect to see on Saturday: "I think the thing that I loved about this team in the past is their fight, their ability to run for each other, to do whatever it takes on the day no matter what the result was.
    "This will have to remain a big part of our DNA but then certainly I think modifying our tactics , having a clear understanding of what we are trying to achieve and what our strategies are."

    Predicted Leicester City vs Leeds United teams

    The big team news is that Patrick Bamford is back in training and could feature on the bench this weekend.
    However, Liam Cooper, Kalvin Phillips and Diego Llorente will miss out as they continue their road to recovery.
    Leicester, meanwhile, will be without Timothy Castagne, Jonny Evans, James Justin, Wesley Fofana and Ryan Bertrand.
    Ricardo Pereira, on the other hand, is expected to have a late fitness test following a hamstring issue.
    Possible Leicester City starting line-up: Schmeichel, Albrighton, Amartey, Soyuncu, Thomas, Tielemans, Ndidi, Lookman, Maddison, Barnes, Vardy
    Possible Leeds United starting line-up: Meslier, Ayling, Koch, Llorente, Dallas, Forshaw, Klich, Firpo, Raphinha, James, Harrison

    Leicester City vs Leeds United prediction

    Leeds will be hoping for a new manager bounce this weekend, but considering the form they're currently in, it's hard to get behind them.
    Leicester, in contrast, appear to be on the up. With Vardy back in the team, we're backing the hosts to come out on top.

    READ MORE: A cultural hero or an overrated maverick: Should Leeds United honour Marcelo Bielsa with a statue?

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