Leicester City have been tipped to return to winning ways tonight when they travel to the Stadium of Light to take on an out-of-form Sunderland.
The Foxes have been the Championship’s standout team this season and looked to be steamrolling their way to the title. They held a 12-point lead over the chasing back as recently as last month, although three successive defeats has seen Ipswich Town close that gap to just three.
Leeds United have also joined the race to finish top of the pile, although their nine-game winning run came to an end at the weekend when they were held to a 1-1 draw with relegation-threatened Huddersfield Town.
This has made the midweek round of fixtures a much-watch, with all three title contenders in action. On paper, Leicester have the hardest game in their trip to Wearside, whereas Ipswich host Bristol City and struggling Stoke City visit Elland Road to face Leeds.
The pacesetters can ill afford any slip-ups after their recent losses to Middlesbrough, Leeds and Queens Park Rangers, although they will maintain their position regardless of the result thanks to their vastly superior goal difference over their closest challengers. Despite that, Sky Sports pundit David Prutton believes that their recent blip will end when they visit the North East.
“Sunderland are drifting, badly. Changing manager has not helped and it is four defeats in a row now. A season that started with so much promise is dwindling, and they are without Jack Clarke for the foreseeable as well.
“That should all give Leicester some hope. They have lost three in a row, and are just five clear of Leeds in third heading into this one. What seemed like a procession at one stage is getting a little edgy. But I think this is where they get back to winning ways, because Sunderland are in no kind of form.”
The former Sheffield Wednesday midfielder then went on to predict a 2-1 win in favour of Enzo Maresca’s team, although has also opted for both a Ipswich and Leeds victory in what is already shaping up to be an exciting end to the season.
Writer’s View
It seemed unfathomable only a few weeks ago that Leicester would find themselves in this position. Not only is their place at the top of the table in doubt, but their spot in the automatic promotion spots is also under threat.
Tonight’s fixture is possibly their most important of the season so far, and it is imperative that they pick up a win and halt their current alarming form. That said, those around them will still drop points between now and May, and the Foxes should have enough to secure their place in the Premier League next season.
