Leicester City vs Swansea City: Preview & Prediction

Premier League title-holders Leicester City will go in search of their first win of the season on Saturday afternoon, when they host Swansea City at the King Power Stadium.

The Foxes, who claimed their first-ever top-flight championship last season after finishing ten points clear, have started the defence of their trophy with a defeat and a draw from the opening two fixtures.

Having been beaten 2-1 away at Hull City, Claudio Ranieri’s champions earned a share of the spoils in a goalless draw with Arsenal last Saturday on home soil, to gain a point against the Gunners.

It was a welcomed result for Leicester, who preserved their 16 match unbeaten record at the King Power Stadium, a run of form which was vital to the East Midlands outfit, during their Premier League winning year.

With success, comes interest from potential suitors, and Leicester have successfully agreed new deals with Danny Drinkwater, Riyad Mahrez and Jamie Vardy, despite losing N’Golo Kante to Chelsea. Ranieri will hope his key performers from last season can recapture their best form after extending their stays.

In the visiting dugout will be Ranieri’s Italian compatriot, Francesco Guidolin, who has guided his Swansea City side to three-points at Burnley, before losing 2-0 at home to Hull last weekend, has steadied the South Wales club in his tenure at the Liberty Stadium.

Late goals from Shaun Maloney and Abel Hernandez provided maximum points for the newly-promoted Tigers, leaving the Swans currently placed 12th in the standings.

Following on from the Premier League home defeat, Swansea returned to winning ways in the EFL Cup, with a boosting 3-1 win over Peterborough United at London Road, to secure a passage into the third-round of the competition.

In the previous fixture between the two teams at the King Power Stadium, Leicester ran out 4-0 winners as they closed in on the title in emphatic fashion back in late April.

Leonardo Ulloa’s brace was sandwiched in-between goals from Mahrez and Marc Albrighton, to strengthen their lead at the summit of the table.

Leicester shot stopper, Kasper Schmeichel – Photo: Marc Atkins / Offside.

Team News:

Defensive midfielder Nampalys Mendy is out injured for Leicester, alongside Jeff Schlupp. The pair have ankle and muscle issues respectively.

Drinkwater is expected to start in the heart of the midfield after signing in a new five-year contract at Leicester on Thursday.

For Swansea, full-back Neil Taylor will again sit out, as he continues his fitness after helping Wales to the semi-final of EURO 2016 in France.

Club-record signing, Borja Baston, has a thigh injury, which will prevent the £15.5m Spaniard from making his debut.

League Positions: Leicester City – 15th (1pt); Swansea City – 12th (3pts)
Last Meeting: Leicester City 4-0 Swansea City – (April 24, 2016)
League Form: Leicester City – WDWDLD; Swansea City – WWLWWL
Key Men: Leicester City – Riyad Mahrez; Swansea City – Gylfi Sigurdsson
Shoot Says: Leicester City 2-0 Swansea City