Burkina Faso
Chinese Taipei
Nigeria

Leicestervs.Blackburn

sportsmole.co.uk, 2 May 2024, 13:30
Leicester City will be bidding to reach the 100-point mark when the already-crowned Championship winners play host to Blackburn Rovers on Saturday afternoon.

At a time when the Foxes are guaranteed first place in the standings, Blackburn need a point from their trip to the King Power Stadium to secure their survival in the second tier.

Match preview

On the back of losing back-to-back fixtures against Millwall and Plymouth Argyle, many felt that Leicester had suddenly become outsiders for automatic promotion.

However, Enzo Maresca's side have impressively responded with three victories in succession to secure the Championship title with a game to spare.

Edging past West Bromwich Albion by a 2-1 scoreline was the pivotal result, yet thrashing Southampton and Preston North End through eight goals across those games have been equally impactful.

Leeds United's 4-0 defeat at Queens Park Rangers initially got Leicester over the line last Friday, before they cruised to a 3-0 triumph at Preston three days later.

The East Midlands outfit will now attempt to become just the seventh Championship winners to end the season with 100 points or more. They require a win to achieve that feat.

Meanwhile, Blackburn have been involved in a relegation scrap of late courtesy of having won just two of their last 15 fixtures in the Championship.

John Eustace has failed to have the same kind of influence as he was having at Birmingham City earlier in the season, yet he has moved Rovers to the brink of survival.

Since returning from the March international break, Blackburn have accumulated eight points from six games, a run which has included victories at Sunderland and Leeds.

While Blackburn could only draw against Coventry last weekend, it was a point which took them to the 50-point mark and ensured that Birmingham and Plymouth Argyle must each win their respective games for Blackburn to have any concerns over dropping into League One.

Leicester City Championship form:

W

L

L

W

W

W

Blackburn Rovers Championship form:

W

D

L

W

L

D

Team News

Maresca's Leicester XI is somewhat of an unknown given that the title race is over and the Italian rotated his squad against Preston.

Mads Hermansen, James Justin, Hamza Choudhury, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Stephy Mavididi are all in contention for recalls.

Eustace could plausibly select the same Blackburn starting lineup from the goalless draw versus Coventry.

If a change is made, Ben Chrisene may return at left wing-back, but John Fleck and Arnor Sigurdsson are among the players who are absent through injury.

Leicester City possible starting lineup:

Hermansen; Choudhury, Coady, Vestergaard, Justin; Akgun, Winks, Dewsbury-Hall; Fatawu, Vardy, Mavididi

Blackburn Rovers possible starting lineup:

Pears; Carter, McFadzean, Hyam; Brittain, Tronstad, Rankin-Costello, Pickering; Szmodics; Gallagher, Dolan

We say: Leicester City 2-1 Blackburn Rovers

This will be an afternoon of celebration for Leicester, yet their players know that they have a job to do on the pitch. Blackburn could do enough to earn a share of the spoils, but if results elsewhere are going their way, Leicester may be able to edge a winner in the closing stages.

Previews by email

Top News

21 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Two wins away from an historic treble, Bayer Leverkusen will tackle Atalanta BC in Wednesday's Europa League final, with the Italian side seeking a first major trophy since 1963. 21 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea have confirmed the departure of head coach Mauricio Pochettino by mutual consent. 21 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United are reportedly interested in two left-backs ahead of this summer's transfer window. 21 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Denmark Under-17s will look to begin the European Under-17 Championship with consecutive victories when they face Croatia under-17s on Thursday. 21 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Cristiano Ronaldo is set to feature in his 11th major international tournament, with the Al-Nassr forward named in the Portugal squad for this summer's European Championship. 21 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Euro 2024 will represent the 11th time England have competed at the European Championship since the tournament was first held in France back in 1960. 21 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea head coach Mauricio Pochettino reportedly has plans to hold his own in discussions with the club's co-owners. 21 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Burnley boss Vincent Kompany has reportedly emerged as a candidate for the Bayern Munich job. 21 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Wolverhampton Wanderers have reportedly reached a decision over the asking price of Pedro Neto. 21 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk England manager Gareth Southgate has admitted that one of the 33 players included in his Euro 2024 training squad is a "long shot" for this summer's continental championships in Germany. 21 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk England manager Gareth Southgate has explained his reasoning for snubbing Marcus Rashford and Jordan Henderson from his 33-man Euro 2024 training squad. 21 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson will reportedly consider a transfer away from the Etihad Stadium this summer. 21 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United and Chelsea reportedly face stern competition from another Premier League club in the race for Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna. 21 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk England manager Gareth Southgate has announced an extended 33-man training squad ahead of Euro 2024 in Germany. 21 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk One of Liverpool's star players has dropped a major hint to suggest that he could stay at Anfield for another season following the appointment of Arne Slot as the club's new head coach. 21 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Andre Onana has acknowledged that Manchester United have endured a "bad season" under Erik ten Hag, but he hopes the Dutchman will be given a chance to turn the club's fortunes around. 21 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos has announced that he will retire from football after representing Germany at Euro 2024 this summer. 21 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United and Arsenal have seemingly been handed a boost in their efforts to add a new striker to their ranks this summer. 21 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Aston Villa are reportedly contemplating making an approach for a Barcelona defender during the summer transfer window. 21 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk England boss Gareth Southgate has reportedly decided to show faith in an injury-hit Manchester United player ahead of Euro 2024. 21 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk The season is over and while the transfer window doesn't technically open until June 14, clubs across the UK and Europe are free to get deals in place ahead of next season. 20 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Borussia Dortmund have reportedly made Chelsea loanee Ian Maatsen as a priority target for the summer transfer window. 20 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk England captain Harry Kane is reportedly expected to prove his fitness in time for Euro 2024. 20 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk The final spot in the last 16 of the Copa do Brasil will be determined on Thursday when Ceara host CRB in the second leg of that tie at Arena Castelao. 20 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni has reportedly been ruled out of the Champions League final. 20 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Flamengo return to action in the Copa do Brasil when they go head to head with Amazonas in the second leg of their third-round clash on Wednesday. 20 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Argentina have omitted Roma attacker Paulo Dybala from their provisional squad for Copa America 2024. 20 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou has named a 24-man travelling squad for Wednesday's post-season friendly against Newcastle United at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Australia. 20 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric headlines Croatia's preliminary squad for Euro 2024, with the 38-year-old set to represent his country at a major international tournament for the final time. 20 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Seeking a first major trophy since 1963, Atalanta BC will try to conquer 'invincible' German champions Bayer Leverkusen in Wednesday's Europa League final, which takes place in Dublin.