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By @jonnychick__.
Leeds United travel to the King Power Stadium on Sunday as they take on high-flying Leicester City.
United go into this game off the back of their first win of the calendar year. The victory came on Tuesday night at St James' Park where Leeds ran out 2-1 winners against Newcastle United.
Raphinha opened the scoring in the first half with a fantastic curling shot from the edge of the area, and a stunning volley from Jack Harrison canceled out Miguel Almiron's equaliser.
The win in midweek kept Leeds in 12th place in the Premier League table, but most importantly for the Whites, they are now 12 points above the relegation zone after 19 games. A fantastic achievement by Marcelo Bielsa and his men.
As for Leicester City, they were held to a 1-1 draw at Goodison Park on Wednesday evening in a match that they will be disappointed not to have won. Youri Tielemans netted his fifth goal of the season to ensure that the points were shared between the two sides.
Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa praised Leicester's performance against Everton in midweek, saying: "In the game against Everton they were the protagonists throughout.
"They had a style where they circulated the ball very quickly and a very marked offensive style. They played to try and attack and to try and position themselves in the opposition's half." [Yorkshire Evening Post]
The Foxes are in fine form having gone unbeaten in their last nine matches in all competitions, defeating teams such as Tottenham, Chelsea, and Southampton in the process. Seven of those games have come in the Premier League - only Premier League leaders Manchester City are on a longer unbeaten top-flight run.
Brendan Rodgers' side are third in the league table on 39 points, five points off top spot. Three points for Leicester on Sunday would see them accumulate their 13th win of the season and strengthen their chances of securing Champions League football for next season.
TEAM NEWS
Leicester City will be without midfielder Wilfred Ndidi after he picked up a hamstring injury against Everton in midweek but defender Jonny Evans, who went off in that game with an eye problem, should be fit.
Top scorer Jamie Vardy will miss the game as he continues to recover after hernia surgery. Vardy was on the scoresheet when Leicester beat Leeds 4-1 at Elland Road in November.
Meanwhile, Leeds defender Diego Llorente could be out for up to a month after suffering a hamstring injury during United's 2-1 win at Newcastle in midweek.
Robin Koch, Adam Forshaw and Gaetano Berardi remain sidelined.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS
- In the reverse fixture at Elland Road in November, Leicester City won 1-4 thanks to goals from Harvey Barnes, Jamie Vardy, and a brace from Youri Tielemans. Leicester are looking to do the league double over Leeds United for the first time since the 2004/05 season when the sides were in the Championship.
- On Leeds United's last visit to the King Power Stadium in October 2017, Pablo Hernandez gave the Whites the lead, however, Thomas Christiansen's side ended up losing 3-1 on the night and crashing out of the EFL Cup.
- Leeds have beat Leicester just twice in their last 16 meetings in all competitions (D6, L8), with their last win over the Foxes coming in November 2012 when an Adam Clayton stunner secured a 0-1 win for the Whites.
- The Foxes are unbeaten in the past five meetings in all competitions, winning the last three.
MATCH INFORMATION
Leicester City vs Leeds United
English Premier League
14:00 Sunday 31st January 2021
King Power Stadium
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