Leicestershire

Kate Blakemore
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

Somehow, after a really disappointing and stuttering start, Leicester find themselves only one point off the play-offs after victory against an in-form Stoke at the weekend.

We were able to capitalise on two loose passes from the visitors, with Patson Daka amongst the scorers to finally break his duck after almost a 12-month absence from the scoresheet.

The stats weren't pretty though. Two big chances, two shots on targets, two goals and Stoke were arguably the better side. Converting 100% of our chances is obviously an exception to the rule and adds pressure to a team that fails to create enough.

We had some periods of progressive play and seemed more eager to look for the forward pass rather than the easy backpass, which is encouraging.

However, with Asmir Begovic winning man of the match, it shows that our defensive frailty remains and continues to blight our game and spike the blood pressure of the fans.

Leicester take a lot more risks defensively than we do going forwards, which is the result of deep-rooted habits from yesteryear.

Habits are created with a persistent drive to change that is eventually rewarded and I hope that the players can sense that. The only way to change things though is through practice - and as luck would have it, we have Southampton on Tuesday night and Sheffield United on Saturday(!).

The fixture list offers little respite now and Leicester need to build on this slight hint of a good run to give themselves the best chance this season.

A possible points deduction remains the wolf at the door and with things being so congested in the table at the moment, it is more important than ever to try and negate the fallout from this as much as possible.

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Southampton will look to continue their marvellous winning run under interim boss Tonda Eckert as they host fellow relegated side Leicester City on Tuesday (20:00 GMT).

The Saints had only won two of their 13 games under previous boss Will Still before Eckert took charge, winning all three of their matches under the German to make a strong impression on fans.

However, Leicester have took victory in both their previous two league matches to inch closer to the play-offs and won't want to risk being caught by their hosts three points below them.

• Southampton have lost each of their last four league games against Leicester, their longest ever losing run against the Foxes.

• Leicester have lost just one of their last eight away league games against Southampton (W5 D2), going down 1-0 in the Premier League in March 2023.

• Southampton have won fewer home league games than any other ever-present side in the English Football League since the start of last season (3), though they did beat Sheffield Wednesday 3-1 last time out at St Mary's.

• Having won 2-1 at Norwich in their last away league game, Leicester are looking for back-to-back wins on the road for the first time since February 2024.

• Leicester have conceded the first goal in six of their eight away league games this season, though did come from behind to beat Norwich 2-1 last time out.

Image source, Rex Features

Boss Martin Cifuentes said earning back-to-back Championship wins following an inconsistent start to the season is a huge boost.

"It's an important win, especially because it makes it back-to-back wins," Cifuentes told BBC Radio Leicester after the 2-1 victory over Stoke City.

"To start back after the international break with three points is always a positive for building momentum and trying to build some confidence.

"I'm happy for the fans and for the players, because I know how hard they worked in a game that was not easy.

"What I've seen in the last three games is a team that is working really hard. We need to be humble, the Championship is a difficult league and you need to grind it out sometimes."

Goalkeeper Asmir Begovic insists promotion remains Leicester City's target this season, despite the Foxes' stuttered start to the campaign and looming threat of a points deduction.

Leicester beat Norwich City before the international break to end a five-game winless run.

And now, as the 12th-placed Foxes prepare to host third-placed Stoke on Saturday, the club is also readying itself for legal battle over spending rules and alleged breaches made when the club was promoted to the Premier League as Championship title winners in 2024.

That hearing is reportedly set to begin within days.

Begovic said the issue is for "people above my paygrade to handle", but "the noise" around what it could mean to the club's ambitions is something players need to deal with.

The players, he insists, are focused only on results on the pitch.

"We have to make sure that we are together, we keep believing and keep working hard," Begovic told BBC East Midlands Today.

And when asked if promotion remains the aim, the former Chelsea, Stoke, Bournemouth and Everton goalkeeper said: "Absolutely.

"There is still everything to play for," he continued. "There's still 31 games, so we will make sure that we put in those performances, take it a game at a time and hopefully put a string of wins together and then I think we will be where we need to be."

Image source, Shutterstock

Marti Cifuentes wants Leicester to build on their dramatic win at Norwich as they return from the international break with the visit of high-flying Stoke City.

The Foxes ended a five-match winless run in the Championship by coming from behind to win 2-1 at the lowly Canaries on 8 November to climb to 12th, four points outside the play-off places.

The Potters are third in the table ahead of their trip to the King Power Stadium (15:00 GMT) while Leicester are winless in five home games since August, have gone nine games without a clean sheet and have only scored five goals in their past six matches.

Cifuentes told BBC Radio Leicester: "All the games are big and important. We want to build on the good result we got at Norwich.

"We need to be ready because we know they are a dangerous team and they have the best defensive record in the league. Hopefully we can deliver a good performance."

City will again be without keeper Jakub Stolarczyk (groin) who Cifuentes said is "getting better" while Ben Nelson misses out after being stretchered off at Carrow Road, though he could return to training next week.

Victor Kristiansen has had knee surgery and it "will take some weeks until he's recovered".

Defender Caleb Okoli could feature after returning to training following a knock at Norwich, having started the past four games.

Amid recent speculation about points deductions, Cifuentes said he has been aware of talk about potential PSR penalties "since day one" but added: "It's nothing that affects us. My job is to make things as good as possible, improve the players on the pitch – it is nothing to do with me."

He would not be drawn on speculation about a sporting director being drafted in to work alongside him, adding: "When it comes to structural changes there's not much I can say. The club wants to improve.

"I cannot give a timeframe or how this will develop. It's not for me to comment on things (above my position)."