Ahead of the start of 2023-24, the general consensus was that Leicester and Leeds would be competing for automatic promotion, potentially already clear of the chasing pack at this stage.
Ipswich have spoiled that prediction as the Tractor Boys are a massive nine points clear of Leeds in third, but Leicester have performed above expectations to cement their grip on first place.
Thirteen of their 14 second-tier matches have ended in victory, with the most recent coming away at Queens Park Rangers last weekend as Harry Winks scored a superb winner 10 minutes from time in a 2-1 triumph.
Enzo Maresca’s team were not overly convincing, nor were they in the preceding game against Sunderland, yet it was another maximum return at a time when the teams in third and below have not found consistency since the start of August.
The most impressive aspect of Leicester’s game this season has been not conceding more than once in a single Championship fixture, shipping just eight goals in their 14 contests.
They have also netted 29 goals – the joint-best in the division – but only conceding three times in seven matches at the King Power Stadium is the statistic that will get Leeds’ attention.
Daniel Farke’s side head into this encounter having netted seven goals in their most recent three fixtures, with a 3-2 win being posted at Norwich City and a 4-1 success coming over Huddersfield Town.
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1-0 reverse at Stoke City sandwiched between those victories is their solitary setback in five games, but the Yorkshire giants can at least head into this match as the best of the rest outside of the automatic promotion spots after their under-performance during the early weeks of Farke’s reign.
With Leicester already 14 points clear of them, Leeds’ objective in the long term will be to overhaul Ipswich for the runners-up spot, yet they will have to improve their away results with three defeats already coming on their travels.
At a time when Joel Piroe has contributed just one goal in six games, Crysencio Summerville has stepped up to the plate with five strikes and three assists in just five appearances.
