“The Foxes against the Villains at the King Power Stadium sounds like a teaser for a noir novel about palace intrigue. But let’s face it, tonight’s game will probably be low on genuine drama. My money is on Leicester winning 3-1 and Brendan getting back into the Champions League next year,” predicts Justin Kavanagh.
No Ben Chilwell for Leicester, you’ll note, due to a hamstring injury. Jamie Vardy missed the defeat at Norwich but is, as trailed, among the subs. Villa look strong but this one is too soon for their talismanic and much-missed midfielder, John McGinn.
Teams – Vardy back, but on the bench
Leicester: Schmeichel, Ricardo Pereira, Evans, Soyuncu, Justin, Ndidi, Albrighton, Praet, Maddison, Barnes, Iheanacho. Subs: Morgan, Tielemans, Vardy, Ward, Perez, Mendy, Fuchs.
Aston Villa: Reina, Guilbert, Engels, Mings, Targett, Douglas Luiz, Nakamba, Hourihane, Elmohamady, Samatta, Grealish. Subs: Taylor, Drinkwater, Konsa, Trezeguet, El Ghazi, Nyland, Davis.
Referee: Michael Oliver
Hello
Leicester couldn’t … could they? That’s to say – they couldn’t mess this up, could they? Champions League qualification has seemed pretty much in the bag since Christmas but Brendan Rodgers’ men have been distinctly wobbly of late and, if we stick for now to the idea that it’ll take a top-four place to get there, are beginning to look vulnerable. Manchester United are among those lurking and what they need, after three straight league games without a goal, is a straightforward, old-fashioned home victory to clear their heads.
So how about it? Villa won’t be too enamoured with that thought and already have something of an Indian sign over today’s hosts, having dumped them out of the League Cup semis. They are on a stinky run of their own, with three straight top-flight defeats, and badly need points on the board now if they are to claw themselves away from the drop zone. They are only two off safety as things stand though, so if they win this then they will leap to 16th. Otherwise, it’s another week right in the mire.
Which is it to be? Stay with us for the next few hours and find out. Emails, tweets, jokes, poems, pithy observations, shopping lists – anything really – all appreciated as we go.
Updated