Leicester City v Leeds United: YEP Jury give their big-match predictions

Leicester City's Youri Tielemans celebrates scoring against Everton on Wednesday night. Picture: Paul Ellis/PA Wire.

Buoyed by Tuesday night’s 2-1 victory at Newcastle United, our panel of fans look ahead to Leeds United’s trip to high-flying Leicester City on Sunday.

DAVID WATKINS

Leeds played well and looked almost back to our best during the first half at St James’ Park this week but then throughout the second half – that marvellous Jack Harrison goal apart – we looked shaky and uncertain again.

Our passing was wayward and, with a 2-1 lead, our game management was poor such that we offered far too many opportunities to the Toon to get back on terms.

Leeds United's Pascal Struijk battle for the ball with Brighton's Percy Tau. Picture: Peter Powell/PA Wire.

That they didn’t was down to Illan Meslier, poor finishing and sheer good fortune.

The Foxes will be a very different proposition although the pace we saw from Allan Saint-Maximin that almost undid us will be replicated by several in the Leicester side.

The only saving grace is that the quickest of them all, Jamie Vardy, is unlikely to be fit.

Leicester’s draw at Everton sees them sat third in the table, two points adrift of Manchester City at the top and on a decent run of form, unbeaten in nine in all competitions. Much as it hurts to say so, I can’t see past a Leicester victory in this one, but hope springs eternal.

Leicester City will be without talisman striker Jamie Vardy (centre) when they face Leeds United on Sunday. Picture: Michael Regan/PA Wire.

Prediction: Leicester City 3 Leeds United 1.

KEITH INGHAM

Fresh from a 2-1 win at ‘troubled’ Newcastle United, Bielsa’s boys have another away day, this time at Leicester City, lunchtime on Sunday.

And Sunday will offer more of a challenge with Leciester City on the coattails of Manchester City, ‘Manu’ and Liverpool.

Leeds United head caoch Marco Bielsa. Picture: Andy Rain/Getty Images.

Brendan Rodgers has a quality squad and has proven what a good manager he is with great spells at Liverpool and Celtic.

Unfortunately for him, Leeds’ tormentor in their 4-1 win at Elland Road is out for a month because of injury. Jamie Vardy is key to their good form.

Marcelo Bielsa may well have to choose another centre-back pairing as Diego Llorente, who has had horrendous luck with injuries since joining Leeds, limped off in the early minutes of the Newcastle game.

Pascal Struijk, who had a decent game when coming on, will most likely deputise alongside captain Liam Cooper.

Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers with Youri Tielemans. Picture: Tim Keeton/PA Wire.

I’d love to see Leeds get something out of this game but the way the Foxes counter-attacked earlier in the season doesn’t bode well and I see United on the end of a defeat by a couple of goals. Sorry folks.

The win at St James’ Park was welcome after a couple of under-par performances.