Aiming to get their promotion ambitions back on track, Leicester City will welcome playoff hopefuls West Bromwich Albion to the King Power Stadium on Saturday afternoon for a Championship clash.
The Foxes are losing sight of the Premier League after back-to-back losses, whereas the Baggies' aims of a top-six finish were dealt a blow by Sunderland last time out.
Match preview
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After back-to-back home wins over Norwich City and Birmingham City eased concerns of a late-season plummet in form, Leicester City are now at serious danger of missing out on the top two following successive away defeats at Neil Harris's Millwall and relegation-threatened Plymouth Argyle over the past week.
As was the case at The Den three days earlier, the Foxes dominated possession and created the lion's share of the clear-cut chances versus managerless Plymouth at Home Park but were unable to collect any points, with Mustapha Bundu netting a 21st-minute winner for the Green Army.
Over the past 10 Championship matches, Enzo Maresca's side have suffered six defeats and picked up just three victories, meaning that Saturday's hosts sit 19th in the form table - a position that is not usually associated with a side who are pushing for a place in the Premier League.
Having failed to find the back of the net in back-to-back contests, there is increasing pressure on Patson Daka at the top end of the pitch, with the Zambia international missing two gilt-edged opportunities versus Plymouth, meaning that the 25-year-old has not made the net ripple in two months.
With four matches left to play in their Championship campaign, Leicester currently occupy second place in the second-tier standings, possessing a one-point buffer over third-placed Leeds United, who have themselves endured a poor run of form recently, winning just one of their last five in the league.
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West Brom witnessed their 10-game unbeaten run in the Championship come to a disappointing end at The Hawthorns last Saturday, when Mike Dodds's Sunderland rocked up in the Black Country and managed to collect maximum points thanks to a first-half strike from Pierre Ekwah.
In truth, the course of the contest was set in the 43rd minute when Albion striker Brandon Thomas-Asante received his marching orders for a second caution of the match, with the 10-man hosts unable to fight back and avoid their maiden loss at The Hawthorns since Southampton came to town on February 16.
Despite defeat last time out, Carlos Corberan knows that his side's playoff-sealing fate is very much in their own hands as the regular season reaches its dramatic conclusion, with West Brom currently sitting in fifth position, seven points ahead of seventh-placed Hull City.
The Baggies' promotion ambitions were given a massive boost by their impressive dealings in the January transfer window, with exciting winger Mikey Johnston arriving on loan from Scottish giants Celtic - the 24-year-old has found the net on seven occasions in just 15 Championship appearances.
As has been the case since their relegation from the Premier League in 2021, West Brom's away form in the second tier has severely impacted their ability to fight for a top-two placement, and Corberan's side have won only six of their 21 outings in the division during 2023-24.
Team News
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After missing a number of chances last time out, Daka's place in the Leicester XI is under serious threat, with the likes of Tom Cannon and Kelechi Iheanacho pushing for starts.
There are also loud calls from the Foxes faithful for former England international Conor Coady to be included in the starting XI, but Maresca is worried that the defender's lack of pace could cost his side.
Despite their recent struggles, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Wilfred Ndidi and Harry Winks represent an elite Championship midfield, with all three set to retain their starting berths on the weekend.
Due to his red card versus Sunderland, Thomas-Asante will miss the trip to the King Power on Saturday, meaning that Jed Wallace or Andreas Weimann could start at the focal point of the West Brom attack.
Okay Yokuslu was given a rare rest against the Black Cats as Corberan prepares for a potential playoff run, although the Turkey international will start alongside Alex Mowatt on Saturday.
Kyle Bartley was subbed off at half time last weekend and replaced by Semi Ajayi - it remains to be seen who partners Cedric Kipre in Albion's backline against the Foxes.
Leicester City possible starting lineup:
Hermansen; Pereira, Faes, Vestergaard, Justin; Winks, Ndidi, Dewsbury-Hall; Fatawu, Mavididi, Vardy
West Bromwich Albion possible starting lineup:
Palmer; Furlong, Bartley, Kipre, Townsend; Yokuslu, Mowatt, Fellows, Diangana, Johnston; Wallace
We say: Leicester City 2-1 West Bromwich Albion
Despite their recent struggles on the road, Leicester's promotion hopes are still in their own hands, and they should be confident of winning at the King Power on Saturday.
West Brom could be given an insight into the calibre of opposition potentially awaiting them in the playoff semi-finals next month, and we feel that the Baggies will come up just short in this clash.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Carter White
