Ranieri: Sunderland Will Be A Battle

- Claudio Ranieri says Leicester City's meeting with Sunderland will be a battle

- The Foxes travel to the North East in the Premier League on Saturday (3pm kick-off)

- City won twice against the Black Cats last season, including a 2-0 victory at the Stadium of Light

- Ranieri says he is not concerned about Leicester's recent domestic form ahead of the trip

The Foxes picked up six points against the Black Cats on their way to winning the title last season, including a memorable 2-0 away success in April, but Ranieri says he is not taking them lightly this time around. 

He said: “When we play at home or away, we try to win every match but with the respect of the opponent. 

“We know on Saturday that Sunderland has a good chance to get three points against Leicester – the champions of the Premier League. 

“We know it’ll be a fight – all 90 minutes and extra-time. They are a good, well organised team with two fantastic strikers. It will be a very good battle. [Jermain] Defoe is a good, experienced player, but not only him.”   

Ranieri admitted he is open to making changes ahead of the clash but says they will be dictated by the nature of City’s upcoming schedule rather than being a reaction to recent performances. 

“I always consider everything – how we played the previous match, the opponent and how we’ve played in one week,” he added. 

“We play three good matches. After the Champions League in Porto there is another little match against Manchester City. I have to consider everything and I want all my players to be smart and fight to be ready.” 

Sunderland fell to defeat against Liverpool last time around but have enjoyed an upturn in fortunes of late, beating both Bournemouth and Hull City ahead of their ill-fated Anfield trip. 

Ranieri added: “I think when a team who are fighting against relegation plays against big teams, it’s normal to defend very well. 

“I saw some highlights and they conceded a goal in the second half. They played so strong and defended very well.   

“Now, it’s a different match because they need to win and we want to win. It will be a very open match.”   

Despite remaining unbeaten in the UEFA Champions League, City have endured a challenging few weeks domestically with losses against West Bromwich Albion and Watford preceding a 2-2 home draw with Middlesbrough last weekend. 

“I think we have to continue to work hard as well as we are doing so far. Sometimes the luck wasn’t with us. The last match was with us and maybe this is the sign to say ‘okay, keep going’.   

“If we compare from last season, we miss everything, but the spirit is the same. That is very important – we are waiting this kind of year after a fantastic year but we are so strong and together. We are very calm.”