On Saturday April 18th, Swansea City travel to the King Power Stadium to take on the bottom club, Leicester City. Â With the season winding down, this game doesn’t mean a whole lot to Swansea. Â In all likely hood, the Swans won’t be able to catch Tottenham and get a Europa League spot. Â On the other hand it’d be a surprise if they dropped out of the top 10, so their remaining games are essentially about playing for pride. Â Leicester on the other hand have everything to play for. Â Two weeks ago it looked like they’d been cut adrift and were destined for relegation, but, after back to back wins, the Foxes are in with a chance of staying up. Â After gaining some points and momentum with their back to back wins, a third win on the bounce would really give Nigel Pearson’s side the chance to stay in the Premier League.
Team News
Leicester have the luxury of having everyone fit. Â Nigel Pearson will have his entire squad available to him with no injuries or suspensions allowing him to tinker with the squad. Â Swansea have some injury concerns in the squad. Â They are really short at striker with Bafetimbi Gomis and possibly Nelson Oliveira set to miss this clash. Â The Portuguese loanee will have a late fitness test, but, if he fails it, Gary Monk could be without a true number nine. Â Jefferson Montero will also face a late fitness test, while both Kyle Naughton and Tom Carroll are out with long term injuries.
Interesting Statistics
The two sides have only faced each other six times and had never played each other before 2009. Â The two sides have split the six meetings with each side winning three times. Â The two have never drawn and only once have there been fewer than two goals. Â Every time Leicester has won the final score was 2-1 and every time Swansea has won they kept a clean sheet. Â The home side has won this fixture every time it has taken place.
Key Men
Leicester City – Esteban Cambiasso
When in a relegation battle a team needs experienced leaders that are cool under pressure.  There aren’t many people that fit that description better than Esteban Cambiasso.  The 34 year old is Leicester’s third leading scorer and the only central midfielder with more than one goal.  His calming presence along with his talent are vital to the Foxes in midfield battles against teams that have more talented players in the middle of the park.  Against a team that is so focused around possession and technical ability like Swansea, Cambiasso’s presence will be vital.
Swansea City – Ki Sung-Yueng
With Swansea lacking true strikers going into this match, it will be key for Swansea to win the midfield battle. Â The man that could unlock Leicester’s midfield and secure Swansea the three points is Ki Sung-Yueng. Â The South Korean midfielder is Swansea’s best deep lying playmaker and is someone that can run the game from deep. Â He has the perfect combination of steel and finesse that a team needs. Â With Leicester fighting for there lives, Swansea will need to control the game and limit the Foxes opportunities.
Prediction
I think Leicester will be able to scrape another win here. Â They’re at home and will have their tales up after the back to back wins give them a chance to stay up. Â Swansea have nothing to play for and Leicester could take advantage of that. Â It’ll be tough, but I think they’ll scrape another win.
