Preview: Leicester vs Sunderland

It’s been a strange summer at the King Power Stadium, with Nigel Pearson sacked a month after he had led the club to a remarkable survival and Claudio Ranieri announced as his replacement to much derision from fans and former players.

The Foxes also suffered a blow in the summer when Esteban Cambiasso – the Argentine who had been so influential in their ‘great escape’ – decided against staying at the club for another year.

Despite this, new signings Shinji Okazaki and Christian Fuchs arrive with promising reputations from the Bundesliga, and both are set to make their debuts against the Black Cats. Leicester’s only injury worry is long-term, with Matty James recovering from a cruciate ligament injury and not expected back until at least February.

Sunderland are perennial relegation-battlers and this season looks as if it will be no different. Dick Advocaat’s decision to ignore his wife’s advice and stay in the dugout for another year went down well on Wearside, and the Dutchman has signed Jeremain Lens and Yann M’Vila to add quality to the midfield.

Much will depend on whether Jermain Defoe can find his scoring boots for Sunderland, particularly in the wake of Connor Wickham’s recent departure to Crystal Palace. Danny Graham and Jordi Gomez are set to miss the match in the East Midlands through injury.

Last Meeting: Sunderland 0-0 Leicester, May 16, 2015

Key Men: Leicester – Robert Huth; Sunderland – Jermain Defoe

Shoot says: Leicester 1-1 Sunderland