Leicester the first hurdle for Jesse Marsch
Jesse Marsch’s first game in charge of Leeds United will be in a potentially exciting trip to the King Power Stadium.
Leicester City have experienced some extremely difficult times defensively this season and the Foxes would have been very relieved to keep a clean sheet in their 2-0 win at Burnley last time out.
The Whites supporters would have been divided over the sacking of Marcelo Bielsa after the Argentinian manager took the club from Championship obscurity and a lack of identity, to a ninth placed finish in the Premier League.
Marsch has built a strong CV in the Red Bull franchise but struggled at RB Leipzig in the first half of the season and arrives in Yorkshire with a point to prove.
Process
Both of these teams have turned out consistently concerning defensive performances this season, which points towards a goal-laden game, however the first task on Marsch’s to-do list will be to shore Leeds up at the back.
It will be impossible for them to stay in the division if they continue to concede goals at such a rate, though attack appeared the best form of defence under Bielsa, Marsch does not bring as extreme of a philosophy to the role.
The Whites have shown their quality in glimpses this season and have many survivors from the side that deservedly finished in the top half last season.
Patrick Bamford’s absence has hurt the team this season and they are averaging just 1.31 expected goals (xG) for per game.
Leicester are the better side in both boxes and are rightful favourites, however the uncertainty around the immediate impact that Marsch will have does add an element of unpredictability, that is pushing me away from an outright play in this encounter.
Goals?
The obvious angle, but a way into Leicester matches that has seen success this term and with Leeds coming to town, it would be a surprise to see a low scoring affair.
Leicester have scored in nine of ten.
Leicester have conceded in nine of ten.
Leicester have seen both teams score in eight of ten.
Leicester have seen over 2.5 goals in seven of ten.
Leeds have scored in five of ten.
Leeds have conceded in all of their last 13.
Leeds have seen both teams score in five of ten.
Leeds have seen over 2.5 goals in eight of ten.
This Leeds squad is not built to be solid defensively and that may cause some teething problems in Marsch’s introduction at the club.
Post bet chat Marcus's Tips:
Leeds actually looked very good but a moment of class from Harvey Barnes proved to be the difference. 1-0.