SCOUT REPORT: LEICESTER CITY
on Saturday.Leicester CityCardiff City will be looking to hit the half way mark still in pole position in the Championship table after their visit to
Leicester City will be in search of the win themselves though, after a couple of disappointing results. Last time out the Foxes went down 1-0 away to in form Millwall in what was a scrappy affair. This game followed a home draw with Barnsley where Leicester left it late to get a point with Jamie Vardy equalising in the final minute of normal time.
The Blues are very much promotion contenders this season and currently lie fifth in the table. They are also free-scoring at home, with no fewer than twenty-six goals scored byNigel Pearson’ssquad so far at King Power Stadium. Their defence has only let in nine, which is the second best home defence record in the division; only Cardiff have a better record having shipped just seven.
The impressive home scoring record and the resilient defence has led to only one defeat at home for Leicester City this term. This defeat came from fellow promotion candidates Crystal Palace back in the last week of October. The other ten home games have resulted in eight wins and two draws.
Key Players: joined City on loan earlier in their careers. Schmeichel made fourteen appearances during the 2007/08 season and came very close to joining permanently during the January transfer market. Drinkwater made nine appearances during the 2009/10 season which was hampered by injury prior to recall.Danny Drinkwater and Kasper SchmeichelNigel Pearson has a squad that is far from short of talent and experience. There are also two players that will be extremely familiar to many Cardiff City fans. Both
. Nugent has eleven goals in the league and his possible strike partner Jamie Vardy has got four.David NugentBoth players have been regulars this season with Drinkwater playing more minutes than any other Foxes players. He has also chipped in with one league goal. Schmeichel has kept eight clean sheets thus far and will no doubt be hoping for another one against his former club. With Malky’s men having their work cut out against a resilient defence, they will also have to be wary of Leicester top scorer
Previous Meetings: If previous games are anything to go by then this should by a very competitive game. There is not a lot between the two sides with Leicester City winning twenty-three games, Cardiff City winning twenty-two, and thirteen games ending all square. Even the last ten encounters are equal with four wins apiece and the Play-Off games ending in a penalty shoot out back in 2010.
Last Meeting: Leicester City 2 – 1 Cardiff City (11/02/2012)
was deemed to have been unfairly challenged by Paul Konchesky.Rudy Gestede scoring when Peter Whittigham in the penalty area. Gallagher then doubled the lead and his own tally when he added a second this time from a free kick. Cardiff did get a consolation also from the penalty spot - Richie Wellens brought down Haris Vuckic scored from the penalty spot after Paul GallagherThe East Midland side ended a run of five home games without three points when they beat City 2-1 back in February. The Foxes took the lead when
Leicester City line-up: Logan, Morgan, Delfouneso.Subs not used:Schmeichel, Peltier, Konchesky, Mills, St Ledger, Dyer (Marshall), Drinkwater, Wellens, Gallagher (Howard), Beckford, Nugent.
Cardiff City line-up: Parish, Blake, Mason.Subs not used:Marshall, McNaughton, Gerrard, Turner, Taylor, Whittingham, Cowie, Conway, Gunnarsson (Kiss), Vuckic (Gestede), Miller.
