Prediction: Leicester vs Coventry

Verdict: Leicester win

Best Odds: 4/6

Bookmaker: Luckster

Getting their Championship adventure underway on Sunday lunchtime, Leicester will welcome Coventry to the King Power Stadium.

Leicester

Starting with the hosts, enduring a public Premier League nightmare last season and losing their top-flight status on the final weekend, many are wondering if Leicester will show any signs of a hangover on their Championship return. However, getting a new era underway at the King Power after they appointed new boss Enzo Maresca over the summer, it is no secret that the Foxes are tipped as a leading contender to book an immediate Premier League return this time around. Looking to lay down an early marker on Sunday lunchtime, Leicester will know the importance of finding some much-needed stability on home soil. While they might have signed off their infamous Premier League campaign with a 2-1 win against Europa Conference League champions West Ham on the final weekend, the Foxes remarkably recorded just a pair of wins from any of their final 17 straight showdowns at the King Power – a run that stems all the way back to February 11th.

Team News

After watching the attacking duo of James Maddison and Harvey Barnes make the move away from Leicester this summer, 24-year-old Patson Daka should spearhead the Foxes’ charge on Sunday lunchtime.

Welcoming the both Conor Coady and Harry Winks arrive at the King Power this summer, both England internationals will make their full debut this weekend. Manchester City-loanee Callum Doyle should partner former Southampton star Jannik Vestergaard at the heart of Maresca’s defence.

Coventry

As for the visitors, suffering major play-off final heartbreak against Luton at Wembley back on May 27th, Coventry will still be wondering what could have been. However, despite coming agonisingly close to booking what would have been an iconic Premier League return, the Sky Blues should have taken away a string of positives from what was a famous Championship romp last season. Really upsetting the establishment and proving that they are a stern challenge for all of the second-tier elite, Mark Robins’ men will be desperate to brush themselves down and mount another top-six charge this time around. Picking up some perfect pre-season momentum over the summer and unbeaten in each of their four friendly appearances, Coventry should still find the mood in their camp at a continued high. Suffering just a single defeat from any of their final 17 regular-season matchups last season, some in Robins’ camp could be smelling the chance to spring a heavyweight upset here.

Team News

Watching attacking talisman Viktor Gyokeres make the move to Sporting Lisbon in a £20million switch this summer, new recruit and ex-Everton striker Ellis Simms should make his full Coventry debut on Sunday lunchtime.

However, keeping hold of chief playmaker Gustavo Hamer this summer despite links to the likes of Fulham, the 26-year-old will join Simms in the final third. Former Bristol City defender Jay Dasilva will start at left-back.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides last met for a Championship showdown way back in March 2012, Leicester picked up a 2-0 victory at the King Power.
• The Foxes recorded just a pair of wins from any of their final 17 straight showdowns at the King Power – a run that stems all the way back to February 11th.
• Coventry signed off the 2022/23 campaign by losing just one of their final 17 regular-season appearances against Championship opposition.
• Likewise, last season’s play-off finalists were also unbeaten in their final nine straight contests on the road.
• Seven of Leicester’s final eight Premier League matchups at the King Power last season finished with over 2.5 goals.

Conclusion

Opening their Championship adventure on Sunday lunchtime and getting a new era underway at the King Power, Leicester will know the importance of laying down an early marker here. Gaining a reputation for their extended issues on home soil last season as they shockingly lost their Premier League status, Maresca will know that his squad will face a stern opening test here. While Coventry might have suffered play-off final heartbreak at the hands of Luton just a couple of months ago, the Robins have continued to show that they are a major test for all of the Championship’s elite. However, although the Sky Blues might have lost just one of their final 17 straight regular-season appearances last season, we are backing a home victory this weekend.

Verdict: Leicester win

Best Odds: 4/6

Bookmaker: Luckster