It is hard to call any match "must win" but if this weekend's results go against Leicester City, they will be in 6th place on goal difference alone. An 11 point cushion over 7th place will have evaporated in a period of just 6 weeks. The last 5 Championship seasons suggest that Leicester are going to need 4 or 5 more wins (and a couple of draws) from their remaining 9 games to guarantee 6th spot. 4 wins puts them on 71 points, 5 wins gives them 74 points. Going back in time over the last 5 seasons, 75, 75, 70, 75, 71 points would have secured 6th place.
It is worth noting that City's goal difference of +26 is significantly better than any of the chasing pack and is effectively worth an extra point. Let's hope it doesn't come down to that! To avoid that scenario, Leicester must put some wins on the board in the next 3 games against teams in 15th, 17th and 21st place respectively. Their final 3 games are against teams in 4th, 3rd and 6th place respectively. The Foxes can't afford to leave it that late.
As for tomorrow's televised match at Derby, mixed news. De Laet and Konchesky have both been declared fit but Knockaert is unavailable due to a family bereavement. Wood (hamstring) is also a doubt. I hope Pearson perseveres with the formation that nearly secured all 3 points at Cardiff in midweek. There will be a couple of changes in personnel. St. Ledger was man of the match in Cardiff and De Laet has impressed of late. I would expect both of these two to start in the full-back positions with Schlupp and Konchesky missing out. Kane should come into a front three with Nugent and Dyer. Other than that, the team that performed so well in Cardiff, including Wellens in a midfield 3 with King and Drinkwater, should be given another chance.
Without wishing to put the mockers on them, the Foxes are looking for their 6th successive victory against the Rams. City have won 1 of their last 8 games - Derby haven't won any of their last 8. Both sides are desperate for a win.
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