Leeds United v Leicester City: Big Match Preview; Key Battle, Foxes Key Man and YEP Prediction

Date: Monday

Time: 8pm

Venue: Elland Road

TV: Sky Sports Main Event

Odds: Leeds win – 8-5; Draw – 13-5; Leicester win – 6-4. (SkyBet)

Last time the teams met at Elland Road: Saturday, January 18, 2014. Championship: Leeds United 0 Leicester City 1 (Nugent 87)

Key battle: James Maddison v Pascal Struijk

Leeds look bound to ask plenty of questions of Leicester's back line and an injury-hit Foxes defence will clearly need to be on their guard against a striker in Patrick Bamford who has netted six goals in six games. But United need to ensure they not leave gaps at the other end with the skillful James Maddison one of the most likely to benefit if they do. In the absence of the injured Kalvin Phillips, Pascal Struijk only lasted 21 minutes of Friday's 3-0 win at Aston Villa before being subbed after an early booking but Struijk will likely get the nod in the holding midfield role once more and dealing with Maddison could be key.

Leicester key man: Jamie Vardy

Who else? No Vardy no party after all and the striker is now back fit after a recent calf problem with Vardy scoring a late winner as a second-half substitute in last weekend's 1-0 win at Arsenal and then starting Thursday night's Europa League clash in Greece against AEK Athens and playing 70 minutes. Vardy's still blistering pace won Leicester a first-half penalty which the striker then netted to give the Foxes the lead en route to a 2-1 victory and it will clearly be imperative for Leeds that Vardy is kept quiet.

Lee Sobot's verdict: Leeds to win by one

Leicester might not carry the same clout as a Manchester City or Liverpool but make no mistake, Brendan Rodgers' outfit and last season's fifth-placed finishers are a very good side and this is another huge test. The Foxes could make life especially difficult if sitting deep and looking to catch Leeds on the counter through the likes of Maddison and Vardy. That said, Leicester have plenty of injuries, particularly in defence, and you would still fancy Leeds to unlock them which could totally change Leicester's plan. If so, expect another basketball match. Given Leicester's injuries, Leeds might just come out on top by a single goal and shoot up nine places from 12th to third in a very open division.