Big Match Preview: SAFC VS LCFC

Last weekend, I didn't understand Big Sam's sentiment following a fourth successive draw. He took great pride from the performance and I did as well - to an extent. Effort levels were through the roof, and that's always pleasing, but what puzzled me was the defensive midfielders and the fact it took 55 minutes to get into a game where the opponent had no interest in winning. It mystified me in fact.

This Sunday we welcome league leaders Leicester City. I personally believe that the best way to avoid relegation is to win games, and although Leicester City are flying, we owe it to our plight to try to win the game and show a bit more attacking intent. That said, should Sam go with three defensive midfielders I'll be much more understanding. Leicester have been devastating with their counter attacking game this season so sitting deep and leaving less space makes sense. Unfortunately it brings us back to a problem that has had me pulling my hair out this season. That dreaded long ball to Defoe. The lad must be sick of it. If Big Sam wants to sit as deep as we have been, he needs to stumble across the answer to give us a more efficient counter attacking outlet than just punting it to the little fella.

Kick Off Sun, 10 Apr 2016

Venue Stadium Of Light

Last Season Sunderland 0-0 Leicester

Odds H 34/13 D 33/13 A 5/4

Match Appointments

Referee Anthony Taylor

Assistants J Collin & P Kirkup

Fourth Official L Mason

Team News

Sunderland

Sunderland have no new injury concerns for Sunday

Duncan Watmore remains sidelined

Leicester

Leicester are also without injury worries for their visit to the Stadium of Light

Jeffrey Schlupp returns to that match day squad

Form

Sunderland

WLDDDD

02 Apr 2016 Sunderland 0-0 West Bromwich Albion

20 Mar 2016 Newcastle United 1-1 Sunderland

05 Mar 2016 Southampton 1-1 Sunderland

01 Mar 2016 Sunderland 2-2 Crystal Palace

27 Feb 2016 West Ham United 1-0 Sunderland

13 Feb 2016 Sunderland 2-1 Manchester United

Leicester

WDWWWW

03 Apr 2016 Leicester City 1-0 Southampton

19 Mar 2016 Crystal Palace 0-1 Leicester City

14 Mar 2016 Leicester City 1-0 Newcastle United

05 Mar 2016 Watford 0-1 Leicester City

01 Mar 2016 Leicester City 2-2 West Bromwich Albion

27 Feb 2016 Leicester City 1-0 Norwich City

Manager Craic

Sam Allardyce:

"I'm more confident than I've ever been since I've been here based on the performances.

"If we can perform this week like we did last week that is all I can ask for and hopefully it will be big enough to bring us probably our biggest three points of the season."

Claudio Ranieri:

"Everyone is looking at what happens in the last six matches, me too, I am very curious, but we have to wait. There are a lot of people pushing behind us and that's important but it's important to keep our feet on the ground."

"Sunderland are desperate and it will be a big battle. Sometimes there is pretty football but I am waiting for a battle."

Head To Head

08 Aug 2015 Leicester City 4-2 Sunderland

16 May 2015 Sunderland 0-0 Leicester City

22 Nov 2014 Leicester City 0-0 Sunderland

01 Jan 2007 Leicester City 0-2 Sunderland

16 Sep 2006 Sunderland 1-1 Leicester City

23 Apr 2005 Sunderland 2-1 Leicester City

13 Nov 2004 Leicester City 0-1 Sunderland

Stats & Facts

Head-to-head

• Leicester secured Premier League survival at the Stadium of Light last season, a 0-0 draw in the penultimate game of the campaign.
• The Foxes won the reverse fixture 4-2 on the opening day of the season; Riyad Mahrez scored twice, Jamie Vardy once.
• Leicester are winless in seven league trips to Sunderland, since a 2-1 win in the second tier in 1995.
• Three of the last five meeting have ended in draws.

Sunderland

• Sunderland will equal a Premier League club record of five successive draws should the match end level.
• The Black Cats have won just six of 23 league games under Sam Allardyce (D6, L11).
• It is just one win in their last 10 Premier League games for the Wearsiders (D6 L3).
• Allardyce's men kept just their fourth clean sheet of the season last weekend, a league-low.
• Only three of Jermain Defoe's 12 Premier League goals have been scored at the Stadium of Light.

Leicester

• If Leicester win, they will equal the club's top-flight record for most victories in a season. Their current record of 21 has been set twice, albeit in a 42-game season.
• Victory would see Leicester win five successive top-flight matches for the first time since December 1963 and January 1964.
• Claudio Ranieri's men have won 1-0 in five of their last six league games.
• Ten of Leicester's 13 clean sheets have been in their last 14 matches.
• It is exactly 400 minutes since Leicester last conceded a goal.
• The Foxes are 41 points up on this stage of last season.

Prediction

I think we should try to win it, but i think we'll play for a draw and that's what we'll get. 1-1.