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Leicester City v Bristol City – Match Preview

After an astonishing 5-1 victory at home to Scunthorpe on Saturday, Leicester now travel down to Ashton Gate, in what could well be a hard fought battle against Bristol City. Leicester are currently 6th in the Coca Cola Championship, while fellow promotion rivals Bristol City have currently dropped off the pace as they lay in a mediocre 15th position.

THE TEAMS
Leicester,are currently in decent form, as from the Newcastle match at the back-end of January, Leicester haven’t lost a game in the Coca Cola Championship. However after the injury sustained to top scorer Matty Fryatt in a match against Doncaster, many fans thought that Leicester would struggle without his presence. However without the former Walsall man for Saturday’s fixture against Scunthorpe, it seemed that the “Foxes” could well cope without him. On the other hand, Leicester currently has three away games on the spin, all three against decent opposition. Tomorrow night’s performance against Bristol City, has to be top class from Nigel Pearson’s side, if not they could well need to bring in an emergency loan striker. Also for the “Foxes” they have just recently recalled winger Nicky Adams from his loan spell at Leyton Orient.

Leicester City's Michael Morrison is congratulated by team mates after scoring his sides first goal of the game

Bristol City, has dramatically fell off the play-off pace in this season’s Coca Cola Championship. The “Robins” have always conjured up a decent Championship finish, however by the looks of it they could well finish in a very sluggish mid-table place at the end of this season. Even though manager Gary Johnson has brought in some decent players over the summer and January transfer windows, hardly any of those new signings have made a real impression at Ashton Gate. However with new loan signing, Chris Iwelumo looking to make an instant impression, things could well be looking up for Bristol City. Last time out between these two sides, Leicester played ever so poorly against Bristol City at the Walkers Stadium, as the “Robins” were able to defeat the “Foxes”, 3-1. Bristol City need to get their act together, or Leicester could well defeat them tomorrow night.

Paul Hartley (L) of Bristol City celebrates with his team mates after scoring his side's second goal during the Coca Cola Championship match between Bristol City and Watford at Ashton Gate on December 28, 2009 in Bristol, England.

TEAM NEWS
Leicester –
Leicester are likely to be unchanged from their 5-1 win over struggling Scunthorpe. However the likes of Lloyd Dyer, Yann Kermorgant and Nolberto Solano are all pushing for starts. Nicky Adams who has just returned from a loan spell, could well be on the bench. However, Fryatt is the only lengthy absentee for Leicester.

Bristol City – Bristol will have to contend with a handful of injury problems, defender Jamie McAllister, new signing Jamal Campbell-Ryce and top goalscorer Nicky Maynard, could all miss out again through injury. It is highly likely that Danny Haynes will return from illness; however defenders Jamie McCombe and Brian Wilson are long term injury problems.

KEY PLAYERS
Leicester City – Matt Oakley
. Matt Oakley’s performances have taken toll on the Leicester fans, as the “Blue Army” has become incredibly restless over his performances and his captaincy. However over recent weeks, Oakley has shone to form, as in the past three home matches, especially against Newcastle, Matt Oakley has looked like a different player. His passing has got a lot better, and so has his corner kicks. Hopefully, Oakley can continue his rich vein of form and sustain a decent performance against Bristol City on Tuesday night.

Matt Oakley, Leicester City

Bristol City – Ivan Sproule. Earlier in the season, Ivan Sproule tore through the “Foxes” left-back Ryan McGivern. His pace is incredible, as I for one was impressed with his skill and determination to get forward. Sproule also scored a great solo goal in the last meeting between the two sides, however if Sproule starts he could well come up against Bruno Berner, who is more of resilient full-back. Sproule’s pace could well catch, Leicester cold in some periods of tomorrow’s game, as he will certainly be Bristol City’s danger man on Tuesday evening.

MATCH PREDICTION
Since Bristol City heaped misery on Leicester earlier in the season, the “Robins” have been playing poor football throughout all competitions ever since their 3-1 win against the “Blue Army”. Leicester are currently on good form, as they haven’t lost in four league games. Last time the “Foxes” played away from home, Pearson’s side was able to turn over Ian Holloway’s, Blackpool. This match could well be tighter than their recent affair, however as the form books show I have Leicester nicking this one in the bud. Bristol City 1-2 Leicester City.

MATCH STATS
Kick Off- 7.45pm, Tuesday
Date – 16/02/2010
Referee – TBC
Ground – Ashton Gate
Managers – Nigel Pearson/Gary Johnson

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