Preview: Leeds vs Leicester

Leicester manager Paulo Sousa has called upon his Foxes side to be more clinical in front of goal ahead of City’s Carling Cup clash with Leeds this evening.

The Foxes have been left to rue missed opportunities in their last two league matches against Middlesbrough and Burnley respectively, picking up just a point so far this campaign.

But tonight sees a trip to Elland Road in the form of the second round of the Carling Cup, and Sousa will be looking to instill some sort of winning mentality into his struggling side sooner rather than later.

The Foxes swept aside Macclesfield at the Walkers Stadoum to reach this stage, while opponents Leeds made light work of Lincoln City in round one.

Simon Grayson’s side have made an encouraging start to their own Championship campaign after promotion from League One, claiming three points against Millwall on Saturday to follow up a hard-earned point at Nottingham Forest the previous week.

Both sides will be keen to record safe passages through to the next round to set up the opportunity of a big fish at the next hurdle.

Leicester have a reasonable record at Elland Road, losing two of their previous six visits at the Yorkshire outfit.

Vital Quotes:

Leeds manager Simon Grayson: ‘They (Leicester) had a fantastic season last year, and sometimes it’s difficult when a new manager comes in and getting to grips with new ideas.

‘They’ve got some good players and the main personnel of that group hasn’t changed, they’ve added to one or two positions, so I expect them to be up there this year.

‘We’re only three or four games into the season so it’s nothing major that’s going wrong down there, they’ll be coming up here thinking they can beat us, and we’re obviously looking to beat them ourselves.’

Leicester manager Paulo Sousa: ‘We looked like a promotion team in the first half and really should have scored goals.In the previous game (against Middlesbrough) we were well-organised and created chances. Now we need to focus on scoring.

‘We should not need five or six chances to score one goal.

‘I’m not worried as I have seen a lot of progress, but we knew from the beginning it was going to be a challenge. Results will bring confidence and the main thing is to see the team progressing, being well-organised and controlling the opposition.’

Leeds United Team News:

Billy Paynter and Robert Snodgrass remain sidelined after picking up injuries in pre-season.

Striker Davide Somma is pushing hard for a first team start after helping himself to two goals in Saturday’s victory over Millwall.

Player to watch: Lloyd Sam

The winger signed from Chalrton in the summer was a reported target for City under Nigel Pearson, but was eventually snapped up on a free transfer by Simon Grayson.

So far Sam has enjoyed a blistering start to the season, with three goals in his four appearances in a Leeds shirt so far.

Consistency has generally been an issue over his career, but with pace and a clear eye for goal the player will always represent a danger.

Leicester City Team News:

Conrad Logan will start in goal for Leicester after number one Chris Weale was forced off in the defeat to Burnley.

Meanwhile Matty Fryatt and Lloyd Dyer both appear to be sidelined after sitting out the clash, paving the way for fringe players to stake their claims for starts.

Player to watch: Richie Wellens

The midfielder was one of the only City players to come out the Burnley game with any credit after a battling performance in the middle of the park.

On the ball Wellens is always a threat with his eye for the killer ball, but his credentials off it are also high thanks to a fiesty nature that sees few opposition players eyeing up a 50-50 challenge with the former Doncaster man.

Match Facts & Stats

Last meeting:

Leicester 1-0 Leeds – 13/04/09
Howard (90)

– Leicester are unbeaten in their previous five matches against Leeds.

– The two sides have met on 113 occasions, Leeds with 45 victories, 31 draws and the Foxes claiming 37 wins.

– Max Gradel and Alex Bruce could face their former clubs from last season.

Ref Watch:

E Ilderton

Match Prediction:

We’ve got to win sometime haven’t we? Leeds 0-1 Leicester.

Next Fixtures:

Saturday 28th August:

Leeds: Watford (A)

Leicester: Reading (H)