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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Weird day in England

Ipswich 0 - 0 Leicester

Ipswich and Leicester were unable to break the deadlock at Portman Road.
Leicester went close when Wayne Brown headed Lloyd Dyer's cross over, before Foxes striker Steve Howard missed the target with a header. 
That prompted Ipswich boss Roy Keane to make a double change at half-time, sending on forward Tamas Priskin and highly-rated youngster Connor Wickham. 
The home side improved and Jon Walters' header from Damien Delaney's cross was saved by City goalkeeper Chris Weale. 
Teenager Wickham, who scored twice at Shrewsbury in the Carling Cup, shot wide following David Wright's cross as Ipswich enjoyed a spell of pressure. 
But Leicester finished strongly, with Jack Hobbs and Howard missing chances for them in the closing stages. 

Ipswich manager Roy Keane:
"I could give lots of excuses but we're professionals and have got to do better.
Leicester boss Nigel Pearson:

"We've made a decent start but it's not a case of being satisfied because even though we are new to the division there's an air of expectation on us to achieve a place in the play-offs."

www.bbc.co.uk

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Macclesfield T. 0 - 4 Notts County

0 - 1 R. Ravenhill  13.min.
0 - 2 S. Hunt  45.min.
0 - 3 B. Wright (o.g.)  50.min. 
0 - 4 C. Westcarr  90.min.

Leicester 2 - 1 Swansea

Two goals in three second-half minutes saw Leicester come from behind to mark their return to the Championship with victory over Swansea.
Ashley Williams had given the Swans the lead after 17 minutes heading home Mark Gower's corner. 
Dorus de Vries saved Steve Howard's penalty. 
But Martyn Waghorn got the Foxes level on 69 minutes, his effort deflecting off Williams, before Dany N'Guessan wrapped up the win three minutes later. 
The result was Swansea's third successive opening day defeat and first defeat for new boss Paulo Sousa.
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Leicester 2-2 Scunthorpe

Defender Michael Morrison scored twice for League One champions Leicester as they came from behind to draw with play-off chasing Scunthorpe. 
Morrison's fired in his first from close range after following up Steve Howard's blocked header from a corner. 
Paul Hayes slotted in from a Martyn Woolford low cross and Grant McCann scored a penalty after a foul on Hayes to put the visitors in front. 
Jack Hobbs nodded across goal for Morrison to tap in the Foxes equaliser. 

Leicester: Stockdale, Powell (Ajdarevic 63), Morrison, Hobbs, Edworthy (Berner 63), Dyer, Andy King, Oakley, Gradel (Dickov 79), Fryatt, Howard.
Subs Not Used: Mattock, Warner. 
Booked: Howard, Powell, Edworthy. 
Goals: Morrison 16, 77. 

Scunthorpe: Murphy, Wright (Mills 9), Pearce, Mirfin, Byrne, Woolford (Togwell 87), McCann, Trotter, Sparrow, Hayes, Hooper (Lansbury 46).
Subs Not Used: Lillis, May. 
Booked: Byrne. 
Goals: Hayes 57, McCann 66 pen. 

Att: 30,542 
Ref: Mark Haywood (W Yorkshire).
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Leicester City - Scunthorpe Utd.

Two more rounds in League One. Almost everything is known. It is left to see who will be the second direct promoted team, Peterborough Utd., or MK Dons and who will grab the 6th place for play-off, Tranmere Rovers or Scunthorpe Utd.. The champion is Leicester, definitely became with away win in Southend 2-0. Entire season Foxes have been saying they don't belong in League One, now their ambition grows. Chairman Milan Mandaric told this is just the beginning and Premier League isn't a dream. Players are full of confidence, fans are in ecstasy. Significant characteristic of their performance this season is they never lack in motivation, especially when they play against the opponent who is worthy of their respect. Scunthorpe, for example. Southend, Leeds (away, 1-0), or Millwall (1-0 away). At home, they're superior, with just one defeat, conceding 14 goals in 22 games, far best the defence in the league and second best attack (MK Dons scored two times more). Striker Steve Howard is recovered from a virus, returned to training on Wednesday and should figure. 

With two consecutive home defeats (Huddersfield Town 1-2 and MK Dons 0-1), visitors fell below the play-off line. 6th Tranmere Rovers have a point (and a game) more. At the last round (Northampton Town away, 3-3) they displayed solid performance, but thankfully to some silly mistakes by the defence line, managed to concede three times from relegation contender. Now, they have three games to save the season. They probable couldn't wish the worse opponent, than today's. Champion on their own ground! First-team coach Andy Crosby could return after recovering from a stomach bug. Sam Togwell comes back after suspension and Joseph Mills could be restored after being on the bench midweek. 

Scunthorpe has no other way, than to attack the champions and try to take off the smiles from their faces. I think they only can make them angry. Expekt offers 2.15 for a home win and that's fine for me. And a gamble bet on 1-1 ht/ft.