Match Preview: Stoke City vs. Leicester City

All are hoped to have returned from duty unscathed, and barring injury will be available as Nigel Pearson prepares his men to tackle Stoke City at the Britannia Stadium. 

The Foxes head into the match high on confidence after earning plaudits in all of their league appearances so far – most recently a 1-1 draw with title contenders Arsenal at King Power Stadium. Although they will now be eager to secure their first three points ahead of another tricky test against Manchester United on Sunday week. 

Currently sitting comfortably in mid-table with a win, draw and defeat from their opening three fixtures, Stoke City will be looking improve on that position with a victory over City on Saturday. 

Like the Foxes, Mark Hughes and his side will be brimming with confidence on the back of their last outing – a stunning 1-0 success away at Premier League champions Manchester City. 

The Potters have been steadily improving this season. Since opening with a 1-0 home defeat against Aston Villa they have drawn away at Hull City then beaten Manchester City, so a return to winning ways at the Britannia Stadium will certainly be on the agenda. 

Hughes won’t be able to call upon Nigeria international Peter Odemwingie for Saturday after he picked up a knee injury against Manchester City. Geoff Cameron (groin) and Stephen Ireland (rib) are the only other doubts for Stoke, who will have available Moroccan winger Oussama Assaidi after his loan from Liverpool on deadline day. 

Speaking ahead of Saturday's big game, Leicester City manager Nigel Pearson told Foxes Player: "We will approach the game in the same way as others. We will try and make the most of any weaknesses. It is the same for every team we play. 

"I'm not going to get involved in discussions about the ability to beat other sides. Stoke had that when they were going to play Man City. 

"Stoke could go with the same line up. We will have to wait and see. We will have the same attention to detail for every team we play. 

"Moving from the Championship to Premier League there needs to be time to adjust. We need to find a way of winning games now."

Following the signing of Oussama Assaidi on loan from Liverpool on deadline day, Stoke City boss Mark Hughes told the club’s official site: “Ossie isn’t match fit but he’s training and working with the group. 

“We’re just easing him in - we’ll see how he goes and how he copes with the training. He’s not at the level that the other guys are at but it won’t be long until he’s there. 

“We’re just getting to know where he’s at. We’re mindful of the fact that he’s had a knee injury and we don’t want to compromise him by working him too hard too soon. 

We’ll give him the work that he needs and then he’ll be ready.” 

HEAD-TO-HEAD 

Stoke City wins: 30 

Draws: 32 

City wins: 31 

LAST THREE MEETINGS 

Stoke City 2-1 Leicester City 

FA Cup 

Saturday 4 January, 2014 

Goals: Jones 16, Adam 55; Nugent 77 

Stoke City 0-0 Leicester City 

Championship 

Sunday 4 May, 2008 

Leicester City 1-1 Stoke City 

Championship 

Saturday 29 September, 2007 

Goals: Fryatt 47; Fuller 15 

When Senegalese striker Mame Biram Diouf ran the length of the Etihad Stadium pitch to score the game’s winning goal two weeks ago, the rest of the Premier League certainly stood up to take notice. 

A former Manchester United youngster with undeniable talent, Diouf’s pace, power and eye for goal stand him out as a real threat in an already impressive Stoke City squad. 

The 26-year-old has already tasted English football both with United and during a loan spell with Blackburn Rovers during the 2010/11 season – both experiences helping him to settle quickly this time around. 

If given the space on Saturday, Diouf will certainly cause Wes Morgan and the rest of the City backline problems, so they will need to keep a particularly close eye on him.