Preview: Leicester City vs. Middlesbrough - prediction, team news, lineups

The league leaders currently head the standings by 12 points at a time when Boro are down in 13th position and without a win in four games.

Match preview

Although Leicester have reached a point where promotion is deemed to be a foregone conclusion, they still need to go out and put the necessary points on the board.

That continued to be the case on Tuesday evening as they recorded a 2-0 victory over struggling Sheffield Wednesday to extend their advantage at the summit.

With 14 matches remaining, the Foxes are reaching a point where securing promotion before the March international break is not beyond the realms of possibility with six more games still to be played before that period.

Much may depend on how Leicester fare against nearest rivals Leeds United on February 23, yet the focus will be on this contest as Enzo Maresca looks to see his side build on scoring 15 goals in just five games.

Furthermore, they have gone nine games without losing at the King Power Stadium, only failing to prevail in a meeting with Ipswich Town on January 22.

From Middlesbrough's perspective, their season feels on the cusp of ending in a damp squib now that they are seven points adrift of the playoffs.

Michael Carrick has not witnessed his side win in any competition since January 13, a period of five games, and their only clean sheet in 11 outings came against Chelsea in the EFL Cup.

On a positive note, Boro have netted in seven successive matches, yet consecutive 2-1 defeats to Bristol City and Preston North End have left the North-East outfit in the bottom half of the table.

Boro travel to the East Midlands with the seventh-best away record in the division, despite having won just six of their 15 away fixtures in the second tier.

Leicester City Championship form:

L

D

W

W

W

W

Leicester City form (all competitions):

D

W

W

W

W

W

Middlesbrough Championship form:

L

W

D

D

L

L

Middlesbrough form (all competitions):

W

D

L

D

L

L

Team News

While it is plausible that Maresca may name an unchanged Leicester XI, it would be a surprise if he did not recall Patson Daka, who was rested in midweek.

Although Jamie Vardy scored as his replacement, Daka has three strikes from his last two outings and should lead the line.

Kasey McAteer may also return in the final third, but the remainder of the side should stay the same.

Carrick must decide how heavily to tinker with his Middlesbrough XI, but Josh Coburn's groin issue will likely see Sam Greenwood remain in attack.

Matthew Hoppe is an alternative, despite the American not playing competitively since October, while Lewis O'Brien may be restored in midfield.

Leicester City possible starting lineup:

Hermansen; Pereira, Faes, Vestergaard, Justin; Winks, Dewsbury-Hall; McAteer, Praet, Mavididi; Daka

Middlesbrough possible starting lineup:

Glover; Ayling, Van den Berg, Clarke, Thomas; Howson, Hackney; Forss, O'Brien, Azaz; Greenwood

We say: Leicester City 2-0 Middlesbrough

While there is an argument that Middlesbrough may benefit from playing opponents they are not expected to beat, this fixture still comes at the wrong time for Carrick's side. We expect Leicester to do as they are expected to, prevail once again and with a clean sheet in tact.

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