Leicester v Millwall Preview

At the start of the season nobody would have quite believed that Millwall would be higher in the table than Leicester, yet the Lions enter this game in 9th position while their opponents are several places lower in 13th. However, following heavy investment, Leicester are slowly on the rise although this will certainly prove a tricky test for them considering Millwall’s superb form over the past couple of months.

2011 was always going to be a big year for Leicester following their takeover and Sven-Goran Eriksson’s men have set their stall out in style as they currently boast the stat of being unbeaten in the league this year. Their position is still nothing spectacular, but they now find themselves six points off the top six and considering some of the players that Eriksson has brought in, don’t be surprised to see that gap narrow in the upcoming weeks. They approach this game having lost 4-2 to Manchester City in the Cup, but they gave an exceptional account of themselves against the big spenders and even drew praise from Roberto Mancini.

Millwall on the other hand have surprised everybody and despite only just entering the division, Kenny Jackett’s men now find themselves on the brink of the playoffs. Just three points separate the Lions from the top six and if they can continue their recent good form, they will soon find themselves right in the playoff mix. The New Den outfit have some of the best form in the league having put together a run that’s not seen them beaten in their last nine Championship fixtures. They approach this encounter having won three of their last four although with most of their points coming against sides in the lower reaches of the table, this could prove a stern test for Kenny Jackett’s side.

On the team news front, it’s mixed for the home side as Sven-Goran Eriksson prepares to be without Paul Gallagher again as he struggles with a knee issue. However, on the flip side, Eriksson looks set to have Darius Vassell available again after he recovered from a hamstring injury. It’s a similar story for the visitors who have both good news and bad news to report on. Kenny Jackett managed to bolster his squad during the week after signing Jens Berthel Askou and Darren Purse. Both are tipped for debuts, but Jackett won’t be able to select the likes of Danny Shittu, Paul Robinson, Darren Ward and Tony Craig who are all struggling with injuries.

While Millwall have put together an excellent run of late, we think Leicester will just be too strong for them here. The Foxes are constantly improving and with several of their signings settling in, we’ll predict a 2-1 victory for the Walkers Stadium outfit here.

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Leicester v Manchester City Preview

Big spenders Manchester City travel to the Walkers Stadium here where their former manager Sven-Goran Eriksson will act as host. City boss Roberto Mancini has already hailed Eriksson’s influence on his career although he won’t be giving away any favours here as he bids to land silverware in the Eastlands trophy cabinet this season.

Leicester have certainly experienced something of a strange season and their supporters just don’t know what’s going to happen next. After a dreadful opening start to the campaign under Paulo Sousa, the club were taken over and veteran Eriksson was handed the reigns as manager. At the moment, that appointment seems to have been a success and as the Foxes progress onto the second part of the campaign, they sit in a comfortable 12th position. Just four points separate them from the top six and considering some of their transfers already, they are only going to get better. They come into this game on the back of consecutive victories as well, giving them a huge amount of confidence as they entertain City’s multi-million stars.

Patience isn’t often given to the top clubs, although even Manchester City’s owners will be impressed at the speed in which Roberto Mancini’s new side has gelled. Despite assembling most of the squad only recently, the Citizens are 2nd in the table just two points behind the league leaders. Admittedly, they have played two games more than Manchester United, but they definitely look to have replaced Liverpool as one of the

Leicester to stage early inspection for Wednesday

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Leicester to inspect Saturday for Sunday meeting

. It got down to -7c last night and the forecast isn't too good as it's supposed to be similar tonight and on Saturday.

"The frost needs to come out of the ground by lunchtime on Saturday. It's still -3c and it depends on what happens tonight."

Find out what the prospects are for forthcoming fixtures in Britain and Ireland with our at-a-glance table

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Leicester v Sheffield United Preview

Posted on November 10th, 2010 in English Championship

Both of these sides should have been challenging for a top six place according to pre-season expectations, yet as it turns out both are struggling at the wrong end of the table. The bad starts means that both have already experienced a change in manager and with Leicester sat in 18th and Sheffield United in 21st, you could describe this as something of a relegation clash.

After a dreadful start to the campaign, it looks as though Leicester are turning their season around and Sven-Goran Eriksson’s men are slowly climbing up the table. When Eriksson took over the Foxes were firmly rooted in the bottom three but things have improved in recent weeks and they come into this game having won four from their last six. Those results now mean that they sit in 18th place on eighteen points although you’d have to imagine that the aim for this season is to make a serious push for the playoffs. Some of the players that Eriksson has brought in wouldn’t look out of place in the Premiership and with that, we can only expect a bright future for the Walkers Stadium outfit.

It’s a completely different story for Sheffield United though who are having an absolutely torrid campaign. While the appointment of Eriksson at Leicester evoked a turnaround there, the same can’t be said about Gary Speed at Bramall Lane. Since taking over just a few games into the season the Blades have seen no improvement and in fact look every bit more like a relegation-threatened side by the week. They head into this game on the back of three defeats and should results go against them, they could find themselves in the bottom three by full time. Their main problem is their lack of goals and despite investing heavily in strikers over the past two years, United have just ten goals to their name this term which is the worst in the division by quite some margin.

As for team news, Leicester may include Matt Oakley for this one after the midfielder was forced to miss their last game with a knee injury. There is a small doubt on Saturday’s goal scorer Miguel Vitor, but the defender should shake off a knee problem and keep his place in the squad. Sheffield United could be missing two players though as Andy Reid and Stephen Jordan both struggle with injuries. Both are suffering with hamstring problems and a late decision will be made on whether or not they can feature.

Our prediction can only go for a home win, with Leicester in excellent form while Sheffield United don’t know where their next goal is going to come from

Barnsley v Leicester Preview

Just two places separate these two sides in the table and both managers will know that points desperately need to be registered if they are to move away from the relegation zone. After a good start to the season, Barnsley are on something of a slide and their supporters will be hoping that the bookies’ pre-season expectations of the drop aren’t going to be proved right. Leicester on the other hand are slowly rebuilding and Sven-Goran Eriksson is starting to experience at least some positivity at the Walkers Stadium now.

Barnsley supporters are becoming very frustrated with their season and many are extremely worried that they are going to be dragged into a relegation dogfight. After such a promising start, form has deserted the Tykes recently and the statistic of just one win in their last eight does not make nice reading for Mark Robins. Their last game against Hull was televised and it became apparent to the nation their main problem was simply goals. The Oakwell outfit dominated Hull for long periods and really should have got all three points. However, a host of missed chances cost them and that has got to change if they are to defy the bookmaker’s expectations.

Leicester meanwhile are just two places below the Tykes and they know that victory will take them above their opponents. Sven-Goran Eriksson has already been fairly active in the transfer market and those activities appear to be paying off, with the Foxes coming into this game on the back of a narrow 1-0 victory over Leicester. However, there’s obviously still plenty of work to do at the Walkers Stadium and Eriksson will know that his side need to vastly improve their points tally of fifteen. One way that could help that is by improving their disastrous defensive record, with the Foxes conceding more than any other team away from home and also failing to keep a clean sheet on the road.

As for team news, the home side have a few problems heading into this one. Despite organising a deal for Garry O’Connor to return to the club on loan, there have been technical problems meaning that won’t go through ahead of Saturday. Elsewhere, Matt Hill picked up a foot problem in their last game and won’t feature, while Chris Wood is struggling with a knee injury. Leicester meanwhile will welcome back Lloyd Dyer and Curtis Davies who have both been on the treatment table with hamstring problems. However, despite edging back closer to fitness, Darius Vassell isn’t quite ready and won’t be risked by the Foxes.

In terms of a prediction, we’re going to tip a draw here. The obvious prediction would be a Barnsley win considering their home form and Leicester’s awful away results. However, we think the Foxes are on the way up and because of that, we’ll predict a 2-2 score line.

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