Leicester City Previews: Nothing but the Huth – South Wales awaits the Foxes
Swansea City vs Leicester City
21/10/17
Kick off 3pm
Preview:
Well, it’s all change at the King Power Stadium. Shakespeare out, Appleton in. A few days of chaos in the East Midlands, which has hardly been the best preparation for a Premier League game,
especially against a team like Swansea who are starting to hit the ground running.
If you haven’t seen my earlier piece about the sacking of Craig Shakespeare, go and have a read of that (shameless plug…sorry).
It really gives you the idea that Leicester City aren’t a club beaming with confidence shall we say,
and currently are not getting the results they so desperately need to get out of the league position they currently hold.
I’m as frustrated as any Leicester fan and it hurts me knowing that this team is capable of so much more.
However, Saturday could be a chance for the players to prove that they’re made of tougher stuff, and can come away from South Wales with a positive result.
It’s a tough ask for Michael Appleton; Can he get this team playing? Can he put aside the behind the scenes turmoil?
All will be revealed come 3 o’clock Saturday afternoon.
Stats:
Since the 2009/2010 season in the Championship, Leicester actually have a very good record against the Swans.
Seven wins in 11 for the Foxes, including back-to-back wins in the title-winning season, 3-0 away and 4-0 at home.
However in those 11 game since 2009, there hasn’t been a single draw.
Seven wins for Leicester as mentioned, with Swansea winning four.
However, their last victory against Leicester came in the very last meeting between the sides.
A 2-0 victory on the day for Swansea, which happened to include a stunner from centre-back Alfie Mawson.
Overall, the odds are still in Leicester’s favour, with the Blues winning 18 out of 37 games.
Swansea have beaten Leicester 11 times, with eight draws dotted around the timeline. This game isn’t usually associated with draws…i’ve jinxed it now haven’t I?
These games seem to average over 2.5 goals a game, which is very good, considering these two teams are never ‘up there’ in terms of serious goal threat.
On the flip side, it signals that defensively these teams aren’t particularly strong and tend to leak goals.
Swansea score on average, 1.44 goals a game at home against Leicester, with the away side hitting 1.25 goals a game.
It means that these games tend to be quite tight and are usually decided by the odd goal.
What could be worrying for Swansea fans is their ability to put teams like Leicester to bed. In relation to Leicester City, Swansea’s biggest scoreline against the Foxes was 3-2 back in the 1950/1951 season;Â they have never actually scored more than three against Leicester; a very small glimmer of hope then for travelling supporters?
Prediction:
This game could go either way. A Leicester team away from home with something to prove, against a Swansea side in front of their own fans expected to win.
Both sides look even on paper in terms of personnel and in my opinion, this game will be won and lost in the middle of the park.
My starting formation would be 4-1-3-2.
Vicente Iborra starting as the holding midfielder, Mahrez right, Gray left, Okazaki middle, Slimani and Vardy up top.
Okazaki would naturally playing slightly deeper at times to stop the supply line from the back, giving Iborra support.
I want to see Leicester go for it. I want to see a Leicester side wanting to win, playing for the win and being positive in possession; we haven’t seen that enough so far this campaign.
Swansea look good under Paul Clement. They look good with and without the ball, and their 2-0 victory against Huddersfield proved this. They will want back-to-back wins in the bag.
Tammy Abraham scored a brace and will be looking to add to his goals tally, as well as Nathan Dyer who stated that he has ‘a point to prove’ against the team he was on loan at in the title-winning season.
Wilfred Bony won’t feature for the Swans however, he is injured, but i’m told that injury isn’t serious- so don’t worry Swansea fans!
Renato Sanches is fit however, and may feature. To what extent he will feature we won’t know until the match.
I’m desperate for a win, I want to see a reaction from the boys in blue, however I think Swansea at home are a different kettle of fish, meaning that I think the Foxes will come away from the Liberty with nothing.