Leicester City vs Burnley: Preview & Prediction

Following a fruitful start to their inaugural Champions League campaign, Premier League champions Leicester City host Burnley at the King Power Stadium on Saturday, looking to get back on track.

Claudio Ranieri’s history making Foxes are 16th in the top-flight, having amassed four points from their opening four fixtures in what has been a difficult start.

Last Saturday evening, Leicester slumped to a 4-1 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield, which was hosting its first encounter since a refurbishment.

Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane put the Reds into the ascendancy, before Jamie Vardy halved the deficit.

In the following half, Adam Lallana added a third, while Firmino completed the scoring in the dying embers.

However, it was much more positive conclusion the following Tuesday. Playing at Europe’s elite club competition, Marc Albrighton, and Riyad Mahrez’s double, made it a night to remember away at Club Brugge.

Sean Dyche’s Burnley travel from east Lancashire coming off the back of a 1-1 draw with Hull City at home last Saturday.

Steven Defour’s long-range effort after 72 minutes would have secured maximum points, if not for a Robert Snodgrass free-kick, subsequently earning a point for Mike Phelan’s Humberside outfit.

Given the events of the last campaign, a trip to the home of English title holders could prove daunting for the Clarets, but Burnley also won honours in 2015/16 – winning the Championship in emphatic fashion, collecting 93 points in the second-tier.

They are currently level on points and a place above their weekend opponents, as the visitors will aim to continue a steady start to their season.

Leicester’s previous meeting with Burnley ended in a 1-0 triumph at Turf Moor in April 2015. Jamie Vardy’s goal on the hour claimed maximum points that continued their successful bid for survival towards the end of that term.

Dyche’s Clarets drew 1-1 against fellow newly promoted outfit Hull City last time out – Photo: Simon Stacpoole / Offside.

Team News:

Full-back Danny Simpson remains a doubt for the visit of Burnley, having missed City’s last two games with a hamstring injury.

Meanwhile, Ranieri will be without Nampalys Mendy and Jeffrey Schlupp, who are both out with long-term injuries.

As for Burnley, their only injury concern is Ashley Barnes’ hamstring, meaning Andre Gray and Sam Vokes will continue up front, while loan signing Patrick Bamford also is a considered option.

League Positions: Leicester City – 16th (4pts); Burnley – 15th (4pts)
Last Meeting: Burnley 0-1 Leicester City – (April 25, 2015)
League Form: Leicester City – LDWL; Burnley – LWLD
Key Men: Leicester City – Riyad Mahrez; Burnley – Steven Defour
Shoot Says: Leicester City 2-1 Burnley