Hi! It’s Anthony Onifade and I’ll be taking you through this evening’s Premier League Matchday 7 fixture between Leeds United and Leicester City at Elland Road.
Leeds United will be aiming to build on their fantastic 3-0 victory against Aston Villa at Villa Park last weekend while Brendan Rodgers will be seeking to make it four wins on the bounce in all competitions for his side.
Head-to-Head stats
- This is the first Premier League fixture between the two sides since the 2003/04 campaign in which both sides suffered relegation to the Championship.
- Leicester City have in-fact lost two of the past 13 meetings, winning five and drawing six.
Team News
Leeds Captain Liam Cooper is fit and available to face Leicester City after recovering from a groin injury.
Fellow defender and summer signing Diego Llorente remains sidelined with a similar injury, while Kalvin Phillips is still some way from featuring.
Leicester City full-back Timothy Castagne is out with a hamstring problem, while Jonny Evans is also doubtful after missing their midweek Europa League win over AEK Athens because of a stiff back.
Jamie Vardy is still managing a calf issue but should feature from the start.
Players to Watch:
Leeds United: Patrick Bamford
Leicester City: Wesley Fofana
Team Line-Ups:
Leeds:
Leeds United make three changes from the side which beat Aston Villa at Villa Park. Jamie Shackleton, Pablo Hernandez and Liam Cooper come in as Alioski and Struijk drop to the bench and Rodrigo isn’t named in the matchday squad with reports suggesting he is self-isolating.
Leicester City:
Leicester City make four changes from the team which triumphed over AEK Athens in midweek with Harvey Barnes returning to the side, Dennis Praet returns along with Nampalys Mendy and Luke Thomas. James Maddison, Cengiz Under, Hamza Choudhury and Wes Morgan drop to the bench.
KICK OFF:
0′ Leicester City gets us underway on a very wet night at Elland Road
1′ CHANCE FOR LEEDS ALREADY! Wonderful piece of play from Costa, puts in a cross which is headed across goal for Bamford, but he heads it straight at Schmeichel. Great chance.
2′ GOALLL FOR LEICESTER CITY! Right up the other end Leicester City pounce an open Leeds defence, Koch tries to pass to his keeper, Vardy intercepts and tees up Barnes to score! Terrible mistake from the German defender.
4′ How will Leeds respond now? Not a good start for Bielsa’s men, its a big opportunity for Bamford, a man in his form will have surely buried that opportunity!
6′ Leeds trying to open up Leicester’s back-line but Ayling’s cross goes out for a goal kick.
7′ Vardy and Barnes causing huge problems for Leeds’ back-line, Barnes is through on goal but Meslier measures up to him. Corner Kick.
8′ Leeds deal with the resulting corner well.
9′ Leicester City pressing Leeds very well, Jamie Vardy nearly in on goal again. Leeds need to settle their nerves here.
11′ Barnes nearly notches his second from the edge of the area! Great save from Meslier! Leicester’s experience showing very much here.
12′ Bamford is teed up by Helder Costa but his shot goes wide. Leeds have the right ideas but how will they execute it against this very organized Leicester City defence and on a zippy surface.
15′ Very open game. Both teams trying to grab the initiative, Leeds through their slick passing game, and Leicester City through Barnes and Vardy’s pace and mobility.
18′ Leeds United now in the ascendancy, taking hold of possession trying to disorganize Leicester City’s defence but Rodgers’ side standing firm.
19′ Jamie Vardy tries to size up Leeds’ defence on the counter but he loses his footing.
19′ Now Praet tries to do the same but is stopped in his tracks albeit controversially, but no foul says the referee.
21′ GOAAALLL YOURI TIELEMANS MAKES IT 2-0! Cross comes in from Albrighton, Vardy heads it, saved by Meslier but Tielemans drives in on the follow up and scores. Leicester City looking very sharp.
25′ Nearly a huge mistake from Meslier, who nearly fumbles Albrighton’s cross in to his own net. Leeds looking very nervous in this game, can’t seem to settle their game. It’s a frantic atmosphere and that is playing into Leicester’s hands.
28′ Tielemans, Mendy and Dennis Praet controlling the midfield with some superb passing and pressing. Leeds just can’t play out from the back.
29′ Wesley Fofana once again showing his tremendous qualities, constantly on Patrick Bamford’s tail.
34′ Leicester City looking comfortable with and without the ball. Pressing as soon as they lose it. Fantastic game so far.
36′ Chance for Leicester. Luke Thomas drives into the box to have a crack but its a comfortable save for Meslier.
37′ CLOSE! Bamford receives the ball and is through on goal but his touch lets him down and Schmeichel smothers his effort. Nice passage of play from Leeds in the lead up to that opportunity.
39′ Next goal will be a hugely important one. Leeds will be hoping its them, can they snatch one before half-time?
40′ Good spell for Leeds, trying to break Leicester’s resistance but its proving to difficult to break down once again.
44′ Leicester City pressing up high, Leeds can’t get out.
46′ Free-kick for Leeds right on half-time here in a dangerous area near a few metres the corner flag…
46′ Leicester City survive.
HALF-TIME: Leeds United 0-2 Leicester City
Much work for Leeds in the second-half. Leicester City have been incredibly efficient and clinical in front of goal. Controlling the game on the ball and off it. Rodgers will be incredibly pleased with his players, but still another half to come. We sure know Leeds capabilities when they’re behind, they won’t go down without a fight.
2ND HALF BEGINS:
Leeds start the half with a change – Ian Poveda comes on for Jamie Shackleton.
45′ Leeds starting the half on the front foot. Harrison’s cross is a waste though as it goes out for a goal-kick.
47′ Corner for Leeds United..
48′ GOALLLLL! Stuart Dallas’ cross from the left heads into the net, Leeds get the crucial next goal. Nothing Schmeichel could do. The ball just sails into the net. GAME ON!
49′ Yellow card for Stuart Dallas for a challenge on Albrighton. Leeds really up for it now.
52′ Close opening for Leeds. Hernandez tries to thread a through pass to Harrison but it runs through to Schmeichel. Leeds now the ones looking very sharp in the opening minutes of the second-half, can they capitalize?
54′ CROSSBAR! SO CLOSE! Pablo Hernandez with a piece of wizardry. Brilliantly brings the ball down and shoots from the edge of the box, and it hits the woodwork. Fantastic effort from the Spanish veteran.
55′ Great response so far from Leeds!
57′ You really do feel a goal from Leicester could knock the stuffing out of Leeds resurgence. Bielsa’s men must make the most of this positive spell. Can’t afford to lose concentration.
58′ Bad tackle from Praet on Helder Costa. Free-kick to Leeds..
59′ Leeds try to work it to goal but it comes to nothing.
60′ James Maddison getting ready to come on the Leicester City bench. Rodgers trying to stem the tide now..
60′ SHOT! Mateusz Klich tries a dipping on shot on the skiddy surface from 25yrds but Schmeichel is behind it.
62′ James Maddison coming on for Dennis Praet. Rodgers identifying Leicester’s need for some control.
65′ Sub for Leeds. Tyler Roberts coming on for Pablo Hernandez.
67′ Long ball from the Leeds defence through to Bamford who looks through on goal but Schmeichel is alert to the danger and Bamford loses control.
69′ SHOT! Attempt from Harvey Barnes but Meslier is equal to it.
70′ Leicester City making their second change. Cengiz Under coming on for Harvey Barnes. Under and Maddison lining up either side of Maddison, tying to replicate a similar link-up to the one at Arsenal.
71′ Leeds can’t seem to make anything of their changes, Leicester City looking comfortable, but you can’t rule out Bielsa’s men just yet.
73′ PENALTY? Ayling goes down in the box, but no its a dive, great call by Andre Marriner. No Penalty! Should Ayling have stayed on his feet, could have been an opening for Leeds there.
75′ GOALLL FOR LEICESTER! JAMIE VARDY! What a turn from Maddison to take the ball, he tees up Under who lifts it over Meslier and Vardy finishes it off. Two goal parity restored for Leicester. 1-3.
80′ Leicester City trying to slow down the pace of the game but Leeds still coming at them. Game not over yet.
80′ Corner for Leeds..
80′ Sub for Leeds. Dallas off for Alioski.
81′ Corner well dealt with by Leicester. Leeds still pressing forward.
82′ Jamie Vardy through on goal but he can’t finish it off, Meslier stands tall. Excellent through ball by Under, though.
83′ Booking for Luke Thomas for a foul on Poveda.
84′ Defensive change for Leicester. Wes Morgan on for Jamie Vardy.
88′ VAR checking a foul on Maddison in the penalty area… Marriner going to look at the monitor.
89′ PENALTY GIVEN! Klich foul on Maddison right on the line of the penalty box is given and Tielemans will take it…
90′ Four minutes added on..
90′ PENALTY SCORED! Leicester City home and hosed. Tielemans scores from the spot! 4-1 Leicester!
FULL-TIME: Leeds United 1-4 Leicester City
Leicester City win their fourth away fixture on the bounce and are now in second place in the league standings at the end of Matchday 7. Confident, assured, and dominant performance despite Leeds’ resurgence in the second-half. Rodgers done his homework and his team grab the three points. Leeds lose on the night but its a result which will not knock their stuffing, much more to come from Bielsa’s exciting side.
That’s all from myself, on an enthralling night of football. Hope you enjoyed. Good night!
