Leicester City - Barnsley

After three rounds in their returning season in Championship, Foxes are showing big potential and already announcing a battle for the top of the table. Club has no financial worries, ambitious chairman Milan Mandaric wrote off £14m worth of debt following relegation and even strengthened the squad with five signings where the biggest one is excellent midfielder Richie Wellens (from Doncaster). After opening win at Walkers against Swansea (2-1), team made two more decent results on the road. First against Ipswich (0-0), then against one of the strongest league teams – Sheffield United (1-1). More impressive than results is their attacking attitude independently from the opponent. They conquered League One with 96 points on the balance and 84 goals scored and simply haven’t used to respect anybody. However, draw in Sheffield stayed in the shadow of the injuries their two strikers, Steve Howard and Martyn Waghorn after both suffered hamstring injuries and there are fears that they could be ruled out for several weeks. Club’s management reacted immediately and have signed Blackburn Rovers striker Paul Gallagher who spent last season with Plymouth and scored 13 goals. Leicester are unbeaten in nine league games and in 21 league games at the Walkers Stadium.

After the previous season where club avoided relegation at the last day, new one started in the same manner. Club’s owner Patrick Cryne gave the last chance to manager Simon Davey, but squad stayed nearly the same, without any significant transfers. The only signing worth of mentioning is striker Onome Sodje from York City. In the opening game, Barnsley noticed a promising draw on the road, against Sheffield Wednesday (2-2). But, then came two shocking home defeats without a goal scored. First Coventry City took all three points (0-2), then Preston North End did the same (0-3). Against Preston, Barnsley conceded two goals in the first half and through the major part of the game weren’t the equal opponent on the pitch. One point from three games was enough to activate alarms at Oakwell and Davey becomes the main favorite to be first manager in Championship who will lose the job. Only goods news come from medical, striker Iain Hume (who has a key role in attack) is recovered and could play against his former club, while defender Rob Kozluk is available again after serving a ban. The Tykes also are hoping to get international clearance for Icelandic midfielder Emil Hallfredsson in time for him to play. In last six encounters of these opponents, Barnsley have noticed all six defeats. 

This is the early stage of Championship and that calls on caution, but both sides already showed their ambitions and ultimate limits. Visitors will give the final effort to save their boss, but Walkers Stadium surely isn’t a place for correcting the errors. Foxes are full of enthusiasm, team shape is more than decent, Matty Fryatt in Sheffield scored again and I think home side is the big favorites here. Pinnacle offer 1.78. Home win. And visitors will try to score finally, which can cause a big over. So, small bet on over, Bwin at 2.20. 

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