I’m definitely not a keen of Sven-Goran Eriksson admirer, but couldn’t deny he made a very good impact at Leicester. Still a big reputation, I guess. However since his arrival, City noticed one defeat (not unexpected one, away at Swansea 0-2), one draw and three consecutive wins (I don’t count Cup defeat with mixed squad). Leicester have a potential for play-off (top side of the table surely), Sousa’s departure was a good thing and I expect they’ll continue with the climbing on the table. Skipper, Matt Oakley, should be fit after a knee injury. Same applies for defender Miguel Vitor.
Well, Blades even before the start gave up from play-off ambitions. But their performances and latest results threat to push them into relegation battle, as United have just one point more from bottom placed Palace. They have three defeats in a row and just one win from last 8 league games (Hull away, 1-0)! Some excuses could be addressed on the injury list that contains six players, captain (and key defender) Chris Morgan, Nick Montgomery, Ryan France, Stephen Jordan, Lee Williamson and in my opinion the most important - striker Darius Henderson. But despite that, Gary Speed doesn’t seem as a good choice for a gaffer, their performances are usually terrible and I don’t see them higher than a bottom side of the table at the end.
Leicester are a strong favorite here. Only thing that worries me is Eriksson’s defensive style that applied in all his clubs and even in English national team. On the other hand United are struggling to score lately and Walkers surely is not a good place for a shooting practice. I expect a home win with a clean sheet. 2-0.
o
Bet: Leicester -0.75o
Odd: 2.05 Victor Chandler
Stake: 8/10
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City lie at the middle of the table, at 13th place, with the same distance from play-off and relegation zone. Their previous record and recent shape suggest they’ll stay there where are now. They have just a single win (Preston at home 4-2, before Ferguson’s appointment) in past eleven games and noticed just one point. Their main problem currently is scoring goals, they scored just once in last five competitive games (Coventry at home 1-1). Major cause is absence of key striker (and probably the best player), Nicky Maynard. For today’s clash, manager Gary Johnson will also miss winger Jamal Campbell-Ryce, another striker Danny Haynes and defender Jamie McAllister. City have conceded nine goals in injury time this season - more than any other Championship team (interesting fact is United have scored more goals in injury time than any other club - six).
Blades came in the recent season as one of the main contenders for promotion. Squad that wasn’t changed too much during the transfer market possesses enough quality to fight against the best clubs in the second tier. But, problems came very soon. Currently, United are without a win in four games and have lost their last three away matches. Also, the fact they conceded eight goals in those three games (Coventry City 2-3, Swansea City 1-2, Scunthorpe United 1-3) sounds incredible when we talk about last season best defense line in Championship. Problem started, as usual, when one of the central defensive duo Morgan- Kilgallon is missing. First Chris Morgan got an injury. Recovered, but then Matthew Kilgallon fell in the “contract negotiation crisis”. Recently, he requested a transfer. Meanwhile, injury list has been growing. Manager Kevin Blackwell (his position is very insecure these days, btw.) couldn’t count on 10 first-team players for Saturday's 3-1 defeat at Scunthorpe - and could only name six substitutes on the bench! New name on the list is defender Andrew Davies, while team morale is needless to say very low. Kevin Blackwell will probably set his last season favorite 4-5-1 formation and expectations are tight game is in front, with small number of goals.
