Teams:
Barnsley v Leicester City
Location:
Oakwell, Barnsley.
Current league position:
Barnsley - 17th
Leicester - 19th
Last meeting:
Barnsley 1 – 0 Leicester – 26th January, 2010
League form (last five games):
Barnsley – D L L W L (4 points)
Leicester – W L W D W (10 points)
Top goal scorers:
Barnsley – Adam Hammill (5)
Leicester – Andy King (5)
Match facts:
Barnsley have been strong at home this season, picking up fourteen points from a possible 21.
Leicester City have the worst defensive record in the Championship away from home so far this season, and are yet to keep a clean sheet away from the Walkers Stadium.
The Foxes have won seven of their last eight games against Barnsley.
Key battles:
Adam Hammill v Kyle Naughton/Greg Cunningham
Hammill is an attacking threat all over the pitch for the Tykes, although he likes to hit the flanks whenever possible. This will provide interesting match-ups for loanees Greg Cunningham and Kyle Naughton, who have looked promising for the Foxes so far.
Luke Potter v Lloyd Dyer
An injury to Matt Hill means that Luke Potter may be forced to step in at left back. Dyer loves to run at defenders, and Potter may struggle to contain him in the final third of the pitch. Against speedy full-backs who like to push forward, Barnsley’s defence will need to be on red alert all afternoon.
Thoughts:
Whilst their league position suggests otherwise, Leicester are on a good run of league form since the appointment of Sven Goran-Eriksson. Although away from home, they now play a Barnsley side who struggle to capitalise on slender leads in games. Manager Mark Robins will be hoping that they have enough speed going forward to trouble a generally leaky Foxes defence, now boosted with the return of Curtis Davies who suffered a hamstring injury two weeks ago against Swansea.
The first goal may still prove to be crucial, but with Leicester’s depth in attacking players – including Darius Vassell who is now eligible to play in tomorrow’s match following international clearance problems – they should enough options to get a win.
Prediction:
Barnsley 1 – 2 Leicester
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