September is already looking like a crucial month for Leicester City's season. After two defeats in the league and the shock Capital One Cup loss to Burton Albion, the Foxes are looking to bounce back and get their season back on track. The month kicks off against current league leaders Blackpool, a game which Sky Sports will be broadcasting. City are in front of the cameras again after the international break, travelling to Molineux to face recently relegated Wolves. Two home games against Burnley and Hull follow before the month concludes with a long trip to Middlesbrough.
Saturday 1 September: Leicester City v Blackpool 17:20
Lowdown: The Tangerines have bounced back from the playoff final heartache suffered last season in resounding fashion. They are currently top of the Championship and are the only team in the division to have a 100% record. A 2-0 win at Millwall was followed up by a 2-1 win against Leeds before last weekend they thumped Ipswich 6-0. Although it's early days, Ian Holloway's men already look good to be battling it out for promotion at the end of the season and return to the Premier League.
Recent history: City took four points from the two games against Blackpool last season, but it should've been all six. The Foxes won 2-0 at the King Power Stadium on a cold Tuesday night in November thanks to goals from Andy King and Neil Danns. The reverse fixture saw City go 2-1 and then 3-2 up before Kevin Phillips equalised in injury time. The last time Blackpool came to Leicester and took all three points was at the beginning of the 2007/08 season, when Keith Southern scored the only goal of the game.
Player to watch: Thomas Ince. The son of England international Paul burst onto the scene last season and helped Blackpool reach the playoff final, in which he scored, but was unable to get the team promoted. He has already scored four goals this season, getting both in the opening day win at The Den and then another brace against Ipswich. That form has inevitably seen him linked with a move to the Premier League before the transfer deadline. Should he stay at Bloomfield Road, he will be one of the best players in the division this season.
Sunday 16 September: Wolves v Leicester City 13:15
Lowdown: Stale Solbakken's men have had an inconsistent start to life back in the Championship. The season began with an opening day defeat at Leeds before bouncing back by beating Barnsley. They were close to making it back to back wins against Derby, but a last minute equaliser denied them. Wolves have since sold Matt Jarvis and Steven Fletcher for nearly £25 million to West Ham and Sunderland respectively, meaning they are likely to strengthen before the transfer window shuts.
Recent history: The last time both sides met was in the 2007/08 season, where the sides shared the spoils on both occasions. Coincidentally, the last fixture was also shown live on Sky Sports. That game in December ended 1-1 as Jarvis cancelled out Iain Hume's fourth minute opener. Earlier in the season, both sides played out a dour goalless draw. City went on to get relegated, while Wolves missed out on the playoffs by just one goal.
Player to watch: Kevin Doyle. The Irish international opened his account in the 1-1 draw against Derby, and with Steven Fletcher gone, will be likely to start alongside Sylvan Ebanks-Blake up front. Doyle knows where the net is in this division, having scored 18 goals in his two seasons in the Championship for Reading before moving to the West Midlands. He has only scored 21 goals for Wolves in three seasons, finding life harder in the Premier League. Now back in the second tier, Doyle will be confident of returning some of the £6.5m Wolves spent on him.
Wednesday 19 September: Leicester City v Burnley 19:45
Lowdown: The Clarets got off to the best possible start, beating Lancashire rivals Bolton Wanderers 2-0 at Turf Moor. However, two tricky away games at Middlesbrough and Huddersfield saw Eddie Howe's men return with no points, losing 3-2 and 2-0 respectively. Burnley have two home games against Brighton and Peterborough before visiting the King Power Stadium, so they'll be looking to come to Leicester with six points from six.
Recent history: The Foxes took four points from Burnley last season. In November, City won 3-1 thanks to goals from Paul Konchesky, David Nugent and a Paul Gallagher penalty. The return fixture at the King Power was less enthralling. Despite both sides still harbouring outside chances of reaching the playoffs, it was a tentative affair. The match ended 0-0 and also ended both sides seasons.
Player to watch: Charlie Austin. With fellow striker and Burnley born star Jay Rodriguez sold to Southampton, the responsibility of finding the net falls to Austin. He was the Clarets' top goalscorer in the league with 16 goals last season and has already scored four this season, against Bolton and Middlesbrough in the league and against Plymouth and Port Vale in the Capital One Cup. Don't be surprised if he has added to that tally when the sides meet in mid September.
Sunday 23 September: Leicester City v Hull City 15:00
Lowdown: This match is the first part of a double header which sees City manager Nigel Pearson come up against one of his former clubs. The Tigers have won, drew and lost each of their first three matches under new manager Steve Bruce. An opening day 1-0 win against Brighton was followed by a defeat at Blackburn by the same scoreline before drawing 0-0 at Charlton. Just like last season, Hull look like they will struggle to score goals, but won't concede many either.
Recent history: Both sides took three points a piece during the meetings last season. Hull won 2-1 at the KC Stadium thanks to an 88th minute winner by Robert Koren, but the Foxes got their revenge by winning 2-1 in March. A word of warning for City though as Leicester had a player sent off in both matches last season. Matt Mills saw red during the game in December, while Neil Danns followed suit in the return fixture.
Player to watch: Matty Fryatt. The former fox needs little introduction to City fans after scoring 62 goals acorss six seasons. He joined Hull for £1.2 million and has gone on to score 25 times. This season has already been hampered by an injury after being sent to see a specialist about an Achlles injury. He should return in time for this fixture, which is a bad sign for City fans as he scored in both games against Leicester last season.
Saturday 29 September: Middlesbrough v Leicester City 15:00
Lowdown: The month finishes with a trip to Middlesbrough, where Nigel Pearson spent four years and captained them to two promotions and three cup finals. After just missing out on the playoffs last season, Boro have got off to a good start, taking six points from nine. They were shocked by Barnsley on the opening day, losing 1-0, but bounced back by beating Burnley and Crystal Palace. However, they have to cope with the loss of left back Joe Bennett who has joined Aston Villa.
Recent history: Neither side had the upper hand last season, with both games finishing in draws. It will be almost a year to the day that City last travelled to the Riverside. On that occassion it was a Wednesday night and played out a goalless draw. The return fixture at the King Power saw City take the lead after seven minutes through David Nugent, only for Middlesbrough to take the lead with ten minutes left. However, Jermaine Beckford equalised with four minutes left.
Player to watch: Josh McEachran. The midfielder is on loan from Chelsea looking to get some games under his belt and his career back on track. He is highly regarded at Stamford Bridge but hasn't yet fulfilled his potential, failing to break into the Chelsea first team. The 19 year-old has represented England at under 17,19 and 21 levels and has already showed his ability in a Boro shirt. Expect him to shine this season in the Championship.
Points total: A disappointing August means that September is a very important month. The three home games are all winnable, but the two away games are more difficult prospects. If City end September having collected betweem eight and 10 points, it should be deemed a successful month.
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