Match Preview: Leicester City vs. Burnley

Sept. 20, 19:00 PM GMT, 2:00 PM ET, 11:00 AM ET

Leicester City will continue its Premier League season on Sunday when it hosts Burnley at King Power Stadium. The Foxes will look to build on their 0-3 victory over newly-promoted West Bromwich Albion to open the 2020-21 season.

Leicester City

The start of the new campaign came with countless questions for City. How many players are still injured? How will the team replace Ben Chilwell? Where are all the signings? Any yet, the Foxes marched to the Hawthorns and comfortably dispatched the Baggies 0-3 to open the season.

Leicester lined up for that match with a patchwork XI, slotting in Wilfred Ndidi at center back, Nampalys Mendy in Ndidi’s usual defensive midfield spot, and young right back James Justin in Chilwell’s vacated left back spot. The shaky nature of the team’s construction manifested itself on the field, leading to a slow start for the Foxes, but a 56th minute headed goal from debutante Timothy Castagne opened the floodgates for the team. Two penalties converted by reigning Golden Boot winner Jamie Vardy later, and City came out of the match heavy winners.

Heading into Sunday’s home opener, however, Leicester City is still facing many of the same questions that loomed a week ago. James Maddison recovered enough from his injury to make a cameo appearance against West Brom, but is he fit enough to start? What about Wes Morgan? It appears the club is on the verge of signing the left-footed right winger we’ve been waiting for in Gareth Bale Cengiz Ünder, but when will they get that deal over the line? How about Wesley Fofana, has Claude Puel foiled us again? The Foxes will hope to brush these concerns aside again and continue its winning start to the Premier League season.

Burnley

The Clarets, meanwhile, have yet to open their 2020-21 Premier League season. Sean Dyche’s men put together a typically strong season a year ago, finishing 10th in the league behind the strength of the league’s ninth-best defense in terms of goals allowed. In total, Burnley won 15 matches, drew nine, and lost 14 in the Premier League last season.

In attack, Burnley was led by former Leicester City forward Chris Wood. The New Zealand international led the team with 14 league goals. In defense, reported Leicester City transfer target James Tarkowski had another strong season.

While Burnley hasn’t played a Premier League match this season, they have played one Carabao Cup second round fixture. The Clarets hosted last year’s surprise team Sheffield United in the match, and played them to a 1-1 stalemate in regulation before claiming victory in penalties. The stubborn defensive side will enter Sunday’s match riding the high of that victory and will look to open their Premier League season on the front foot.

Prediction

Leicester City’s XI will (hopefully) look a tiny bit more natural this weekend. If it is Wes Morgan lined up at center back, Burnley will prove to be one of the most favorable matchups available to him in the Premier League, as he’ll be up to the task to match their physicality without having to worry about too much dynamism. The Foxes will take some time to break down a well-drilled defense, but will find a breakthrough goal and not look back. A 2-0 victory will be on the cards for the Foxes in their first match at the King Power this season.