Leicester City
Sheffield United FC
Sheffield United FC
Leicester aiming to keep pace with other top four challengers and face bottom boys Sheffield United
Leicester to win 2-0
Leicester will surely be licking their lips at playing bottom of the table side Sheffield United in their fight for a top four position this season.
After winning their game against Brighton last weekend, moving into 2nd, they may well have expected to stay above Manchester United, only for the Red Devils to win their game against leaders Manchester City.
Looking over their shoulders, Chelsea are now only two points behind in 4th, so the Foxes will need to continue their good form to hang onto 3rd.
Sheffield United are all but doomed, with only 14 points from their 28 games this season. Earlier this week, manager Chris Wilder announced his intention to leave the club, although when that will be is unclear.
He has been with the club for five years, and saw his side to a 9th place finish last season.
Form Guide (all comps): WLLDW
Reasons to be cheerful:
Have won all three previous meetings with Sheffield United
They’ve scored two goals in all their previous meetings
Reasons to be fearful:
Just one win from four in all competitions
Their better form this season has come away from home
Manchester United and Leicester have held onto those 2nd and 3rd positions for some time now, but are coming under real pressure now from Chelsea, who have risen swiftly up the table since the introduction of their new manager.
Leicester’s form hasn’t been bad recently, but they will want to build a winning run of form of their own, with last weekend’s win over Brighton their first win in four.
They also need to address their home form, with only 19 of their 53 points coming at the King Power Stadium, whereas in contrast, their away form is the best in the league.
Going forward, there are some concerns around striker Jamie Vardy, who has just one goal from his last 14 appearances.
Positively, they should be boosted by the return of Jonny Evans in defence.
Star Man – Kelechi Iheanacho
Injuries to other starters has presented him with a great chance which he has seized with both hands – he has three goals in his last five league games.
Form Guide (all comps): LLLWL
Reasons to be cheerful:
Two of their four wins have come against top 10 teams
They have nothing to lose now
Reasons to be fearful:
Have conceded the opening goal in 21 of their 28 matches
They’ve lost 11 of their 13 away fixtures
This week’s key news in Premier League terms has been the announcement that Chris Wilder intends to leave his post as Sheffield United manager.
Despite his side’s brilliant 9th placed finish last season, he has overseen the worst season in topflight history up to this point, losing 22 of their 28 matches so far.
Their form in 2021 has been improved for sure, with all of their four wins coming in the past couple of months, the most recent victory coming against Aston Villa just over a week ago.
Despite that, they remain 12 points adrift of safety. Whether this could release the shackles here, with absolutely nothing to lose, remains to be seen.
Phil Jagielka returns from suspension, though the likes of Egan, Basham and Robinson are all missing.
Star Man – David McGoldrick
The striker has been the one beacon of hope for the Blades this season, with seven goals.
Leicester are huge favourites
Vardy to end his goal drought
Sheffield United won’t make it easy
Leicester will fancy their chances of adding three points to their tally here, keeping pressure on Manchester United who play West Ham later that day.
Sheffield United could play with a freedom not seen this season, with their relegation all be assured. But in reality, a home victory is most likely.
Leicester to win 2-0
