Monday, 22 October 2012

Leicester City v Brighton & Hove Albion - Match Preview

League leaders Leicester City will be looking to consolidate their position at the top of the Championship as they host Brighton at the King Power Stadium.

Following the 1-1 draw at Birmingham on Saturday, coupled with Cardiff's defeat at Nottingham Forest, the Foxes went top of the second tier for the first time since April 2003. The aim now is to build a lead and stay there.

Of course, it won't be easy and Tuesday's opponents are the perfect example of how things can change quickly in the Championship.

Following five straight wins, Gus Poyet's men were two points clear at the top after seven games. But two points and two goals in the last four games has seen Albion slip to eighth.

Leicester manager Nigel Pearson has to decide whether to start with Ben Marshall after the winger came off the bench and scored an 86th minute equaliser.

Jamie Vardy is also in contention to start after recovering from an illness. The ex Fleetwood striker featured for the last 18 minutes and could replace Martyn Waghorn.

Sean St Ledger is the only guarenteed absentee as he recovers from a hamstring injury, so Zak Whitbread is set to continue alongside captain Wes Morgan.

Brighton are expected to be without Will Hoskins (foot) and Vicente (thigh) after they both missed the 1-0 home defeat against Middlesbrough.

Striker Stephen Dobbie is in contention to start after featuring from the bench on Saturday, while Kazenga Lua Lua and Will Buckley are also hoping to start.

Leicester City manager Nigel Pearson (speaking after the game at Birmingham): "I thought we played exceptionally well again and sometimes things don't go quite your way.

"Our players kept their concentration and were professional.

"We should have had three points but we haven't drawn a game for God knows how long, so a positive is that we haven't lost."

Brighton manager Gus Poyet (speaking after the defeat against Middlesbrough): "It's painful really. Right now we are not scoring. We have the best defence in the Championship yet we can't win.

"It is up to us. It's a team problem in terms of how many chances you create. We only have ourselves to blame for not scoring.

"In our recent home games we have had chances to win easily. If the players were not trying I would be very upset. The only thing you can ask is for them to put the ball in the net."

Match odds:

Leicester (10/11) Draw (12/5) Brighton (11/4)

Leicester to win 2-1 (15/2) 0-0 draw (9/1) Brighton to win 1-0 (17/2)

Time of first goal 31-40 (6/1)

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