Match Preview: Leicester City vs. Portsmouth
Leicester City, who were relegated from the Premier League last season, appear to be in a strong position to contend for promotion in the Championship. The Foxes have enjoyed a strong start, with four wins, four ties, and one defeat in their first nine league games.
Marti Cifuentes’ team started the season well, winning three of their first four games before stagnating significantly over a run of four consecutive draws. However, they regained their rhythm before the international break, winning 3-1 away to Swansea City thanks to goals from Jordan James, Abdul Fatawu, and Jannik Vestergaard.
That triumph extended Leicester’s unbeaten run to seven league games and maintained them within striking distance of the top two, two points behind Middlesbrough and three behind leaders Coventry City.
The Foxes have been difficult to beat at home, taking eight points from four games at the King Power Stadium, and they are one of only seven clubs that have yet to lose at home this season.
This weekend represents Leicester’s first meeting with Portsmouth in 14 years, and they will be eager to maintain their unbeaten home record. The Foxes have not defeated Pompey in the league since May 2004, when they won 3-1.
Portsmouth, who ended 16th last season, is now in 14th place with 12 points from nine games. Just before the break, John Mousinho’s side stopped a four-game losing streak by defeating Middlesbrough 1-0 thanks to a goal from Tottenham loanee Yang Min-hyeok, who handed Boro their first defeat of the season.
Mousinho will now hope for successive wins for the first time this season, albeit his squad confronts a difficult road challenge after failing to win in their last three league travels.
Pompey’s offensive has battled for consistency, scoring only eight goals in nine games, whilst Leicester have been sturdy defensively, surrendering only twice in four home games. Nonetheless, Portsmouth can draw optimism from their recent past against the Foxes, having scored in each of their last six visits and avoiding loss in their last four encounters (W2, D2).
Team News
Leicester remain without Harry Souttar due to injury, while Stephy Mavididi is doubtful after missing the win over Swansea. If there are no new difficulties following the international break, Cifuentes may choose to remain with the same lineup. Aaron Ramsey is also available after serving a three-match suspension.
For Portsmouth, Nicolas Schmid, Jacob Farrell, Conor Shaughnessy, Callum Lang, Franco Umeh, and Thomas Waddingham are all out. Josh Murphy is nearing a recovery from an ankle injury, but he is unlikely to play this weekend. Meanwhile, Adrian Segecic will be vying for a starting spot following two substitute outings before the break.
Leicester City’s anticipated lineup: Stolarczyk; Pereira, Faes, Vestergaard, Thomas; James, Winks; Fatawu, De Cordova-Reid, Monga; Daka.
Portsmouth’s anticipated lineup includes Bursik, Williams, Knight, Poole, Ogilvie; Pack, Dozzell; Segecic, Chaplin, Yang; and Bishop.
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