The Elland Road faithful witnesses a crucial Premier League basement battle on Tuesday evening, as 16th-placed Leeds United tackle 17th-placed Leicester City.
The Whites’ plight continued with a 2-1 defeat to Fulham at the weekend, while Dean Smith clinched his first win as Foxes manager against Wolverhampton Wanderers by the same scoreline.
Team News:
The Leeds infirmary has emptied considerably in the past few weeks, and Gracia should only be working without long-term thigh victims Tyler Adams and Stuart Dallas for Tuesday’s pivotal showdown.
Once again, the Whites manager made the unpopular decision to start Wilfried Gnonto on the bench against Fulham, and with a 72-hour turnaround to factor in, the Italian protege will no doubt be considered for a recall alongside Luis Sinisterra.
Patrick Bamford also played a major part in forcing the ball over the line at Craven Cottage and should also come back into the fray, with Gracia sure to consider a multitude of alterations after another disappointing result.
In contrast, Leicester were dealt a damaging blow before the win over Wolves as James Maddison was ruled out due to illness, but Smith is hopeful that the playmaker will fight off the bug in time to play a part on Tuesday – music to the ears of the Foxes faithful.
In more good news for the visitors, Harvey Barnes – who has scored in each of his last five appearances against Leeds – could be back in contention from a hamstring problem, and Smith is also not overly concerned about Vardy’s ankle problem, which he sustained from the challenge from Sa in Saturday’s success.
The visitors will still be without several notable names in Ricardo Pereira (thigh), James Justin (calf), Jannik Vestergaard (calf) and Ryan Bertrand (fitness), and Smith is also sweating over the fitness of the ill Jonny Evans, but Caglar Soyuncu’s recent revival has eased Leicester’s defensive fears a tad.
Leeds United possible starting lineup:
Meslier; Ayling, Koch, Wober, Firpo; McKennie, Roca; Sinisterra, Harrison, Gnonto; Bamford
Leicester City possible starting lineup:
Iversen; Castagne, Faes, Soyuncu, Kristiansen; Tielemans, Soumare; Tete, Maddison, Barnes; Iheanacho
Prediction: Leeds United 2-3 Leicester City
With so much at stake between two sides who thrive in the final third and leave a lot to be desired at the back, fans and neutrals alike should strap in for an action-packed showdown at Elland Road, where attacking returns on both ends could prove telling.
Whether Leicester’s win over Wolves proves to be a turning point remains to be seen, but Smith’s side will make the journey with a fresh spring in their step and can capitalise on the hosts’ continued defensive shortcomings to edge a thrilling contest – significantly boosting their survival hopes while leaving Gracia’s men mired in demotion danger.
