Verdict: Leicester City win to nil
Best Odds: 4/5
Bookmaker: Dachbet
Officially getting their Championship return underway on Sunday afternoon, Leicester will welcome Sheffield Wednesday to the King Power.
Leicester City
Starting with the hosts, losing their Premier League status with a whimper last season and hit with an immediate Championship return, Leicester are getting a new era underway this summer. Now under the guidance of Marti Cifuentes, the Foxes are simply hoping to find some crucial stability this time around. Although they might have a real battle on their hands in the play-off chase this year, the former QPR boss will be excited by an eye-catching summer flurry. Signing off proceedings with an impressive 2-0 victory at home against Italian giants Fiorentina, Leicester won five of their six friendly showdowns over the past month. Pencilled in as a landslide contender here, Cifuentes’ new squad will certainly be smelling a golden opportunity at the King Power.
Leicester City Team News
With number one goalkeeper Mads Hermansen expected to complete a permanent switch to West Ham this weekend, summer recruit Asmir Begovic should start between the sticks here. Despite continued speculation over a summer move away from the King Power, playmaker Bilal El Khannouss will play a leading role in the final third.
Former Tottenham starlet Oliver Skip could partner Boubakary Soumare in the middle of the park. With Jamie Vardy bidding an emotional farewell to the King Power this summer, Jordan Ayew will lead the line on Sunday afternoon.
Sheffield Wednesday
As for the visitors, dealing with what has been a public crisis behind the scenes at Hillsborough this summer, Sheffield Wednesday are dealing with some major trauma. With some suggesting that the Owls will be unable to fulfil their Championship obligations this season, it is no secret that Henrik Pedersen’s side are pencilled in as a landslide relegation contender. With supporters desperately calling for owner Dejphon Chansiri to give up custody of the club and accept a viable offer, Wednesday have had to deal with delayed wages for players and staff, registration and transfer-fee embargoes and stand closures. Hit with a routine 2-0 defeat when they last travelled to the King Power back in February 2024, the Owls look set for a monumental challenge here.
Sheffield Wednesday Team News
Putting pen to paper on a contract extension this week, skipper Barry Bannan will lead out Pedersen’s side on Sunday afternoon. Completing a permanent switch from West Brom this summer, one-time Chelsea youngster Nathaniel Chalobah will start in the middle of the park.
Despite remarkably failing to register a single Championship strike last season, Canadian international Ike Ugbo should lead the line this weekend. One-time Manchester City starlet Pierce Charles will start between the sticks here.
Leicester City vs Sheffield Wednesday Key Factors to Consider
- When Leicester last welcomed Sheffield Wednesday to the King Power back in February 2024, the Foxes collected a 2-0 victory.
- Including a 2-0 victory against Fiorentina last weekend, Leicester won five of their six friendly appearances this summer.
- Sheffield Wednesday mustered just a single win from any of their final nine Championship appearances last season.
- The Owls failed to register a single Championship win away from Hillsborough after returning from March’s international break.
- Despite losing their Premier League status last season, Leicester did sign off the 2024/25 campaign with consecutive King Power victories.
Conclusion
Signing off their summer preparations with an eye-catching 2-0 victory at home against Italian giants Fiorentina, Leicester will certainly be smelling a golden opportunity here. Winning five of their six friendly battles and enjoying a bright start to life under Cifuentes’ guidance, the Foxes are rightfully installed as a landslide contender this weekend. Likewise, landing a 2-0 win when they welcomed Sheffield Wednesday to town back in February 2024, we are expecting a similar outcome on Sunday afternoon.
Verdict: Leicester City win to nil
Best Odds: 4/5
Bookmaker: Dachbet
