Leicester City v Blackpool - Match Preview

League leaders Blackpool visit the King Power Stadium on Saturday in front of the Sky Sports cameras, with Leicester looking to make amends after what has been an embarrasing week.

City were dumped out of the Capital One Cup on Tuesday, losing 4-2 to League Two side Burton Albion in the second round. That defeat was the third in a row for Leicester in all competitions and are desperate to return to winning ways.

They couldn't have picked a harder opponent in Blackpool. 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.

Leicester made eight changes for the game against Burton, and manager Nigel Pearson is expected to make a similar amount of changes as they return to league action. Wes Morgan, Danny Drinkwater, Lloyd Dyer and Jamie Vardy are all likely to start after all being rested on Tuesday.

Sean St Ledger and Zak Whitbread both completed 90 minutes in their returns from injury and could also start, while Marko Futacs also featured. Richie Wellens is the only injury absentee.

Blackpool have had a week off after being knocked out in the first round of the Capital One Cup, so manager Ian Holloway is likely to name the same side that beat Ipswich last weekend.

Nouha Dicko and Matt Phillips could come in if Holloway does opt to make changes, while winger Thomas Ince is likely to start after scoring four goals in three league games. Ian Evatt and Barry Ferguson are also options after returning from injury.


Leicester City manager Nigel Pearson: "We're playing a side currently at the top that have started the season very well and our level of performance needs to be what it was prior to the midweek game.

"If we can get that type of performance on a regular basis we will win games. That's the benchmark performance we're looking for and we also have to turn those performances into results.

"Ian's teams have played the same style for a long time. Their main strengths are the way they attack, we have to deal with that and make sure we exploit their weaknesses."


Match odds: Leicester (11/10) Draw (5/2) Blackpool (23/10)

Leicester to win 2-0 (10/1) Blackpool to win 2-1 (9/1)

Jermaine Beckford to score first (11/2) Thomas Ince to score anytime (7/4)