The Foxes are nine points clear at the top of the table but their title rivals can cut that gap down to six with a crucial win.
The last time out, Enzo Maresca’s team lost to Middlesbrough, so another loss here would cheer their rivals.
After their impressive season, Leicester’s ambitions of automatic promotion may be questioned, but three points for Daniel Farke’s team could prove crucial for their aspirations.
Leeds vs Leicester City: ‘A huge game… for them’
Leicester manager Maresca has become a thorn in the side of Leeds supporters by acknowledging that tonight’s match is “huge,” but only for the hosts and not for his Foxes team.
“It’s a huge, huge, huge game for them,” the Italian stated at his press conference. It’s just one more game for us.
There will be an amazing vibe in the stands because Farke’s guys and supporters will take inspiration from this comment.
Although Maresca’s opening remarks appeared confrontational, he clarified why he thought the game was more significant for his opponents.
He clarified, “Why is it huge for them but not for us?” “This is a big game for both of us, but it’s much bigger for them because they trail us by nine points. There isn’t any other explanation.
“Yes, we must win the game if the outcome was different and we trail by nine points. However, I don’t feel this way.
Leicester City had only suffered a single defeat in their previous nine league road games against Leeds United (W5 D3), that coming in November of 2012.
In November, Leeds defeated Leicester 1-0 at the King Power. The last time they defeated the Foxes in the league was during the 1994–1995 campaign.
Leeds versus. Leicester City: Team news Joel Piroe will continue to lead the line for Leeds while Patrick Bamford is still sidelined due to injury.
Given Wilfried Gnonto’s excellent play, winger Dan James is probably going to remain on the bench.
Ben Nelson is questionable, and Wilfred Ndidi is still out for Leicester.
After the AFCON, Kelechi Iheanacho may return to the team, but he will face competition from three strikers: Jamie Vardy, Tom Cannon, and Patson Daka.
In the event that Leicester City loses, it will be the first time since December 28th that they have trailed by just six points at the top of the Championship. In fact, they were leading Leeds by 17 points as of January 12.
Leeds United had won eight of their previous nine league games; a victory in this one would tie them for the longest winning streak in league history, which was set in November 1931 and September 2009 (not counting play-offs).
What has been stated about Leicester City vs. Leeds?
Harry Winks, a midfielder for Leicester, has been talking about how great manager Maresca has been thus far this year.
“He’s amazing in every aspect,” Winks exclaimed on talkSPORT. He’s a manager who, in my opinion, will undoubtedly reach the top. I have never seen someone grasp football as much as he does.
“His man-management and approachability are outstanding, in my opinion. I’ve already had a great time working for him, and I continue to learn a lot every day.
“You know exactly what to do, how the opposition will play, and how you can influence that when you step onto the pitch.”
The key is to accomplish things as simply as possible. Communicating the message is something that many managers presumably find difficult, yet the gaffer does a great job at it here.
Wilfried Gnonto has scored five goals in his past five appearances for Leeds United in all competitions, matching the total number of goals he scored in his first fifty-two games with the team. But all of those goals have come away from home; the Italian’s last FA Cup goal at Elland Road was against Cardiff in January 2023.
Coverage of Leeds vs. Leicester City on talkSPORT
On Friday, February 23, there will be a championship match.
Elland Road kickoff is set for 8:00 p.m.
Hugh Woozencroft will host talkSPORT’s EXCLUSIVE live coverage of the match.
Jim Proudfoot and Courtney Sweetman-Kirk, a former striker for Liverpool Women, will provide commentary.
