Written by billythekid

After our good start with two wins in the opening home and away fixtures against Cardiff and West Ham, then the 2-2 draw at home against Everton, the Cherries were beaten by a very good Chelsea side at Stamford Bridge. With the International break finishing, Leicester City (known as the Foxes) are our next visitors to Dean Court on Saturday.

They are managed by Claude Puel the former Southampton manager. He took over in October 2017, with Leicester 18th in the table after 8 games, 2 points and one place in front of AFCB. Leicester had parted ways with Craig Shakespeare after his brief tenure as manager. Puel won his first two games in charge. At the end of the season, the Foxes were in 9th place with 47 points, three places and 3 points above the Cherries.

In the Summer transfer window, Leicester have brought in a number of signings. They paid Norwich City £22 million for the 21-year-old midfield player James Maddison, he was also a target for Saints, Puel’s former club, but he chose to stay nearer to his hometown of Coventry. Caglar Soyuncu the Turkey international defender from Freiburg for £19 million. Filip Benkovic another defender signed from Dinamo Zagreb for £13 million. Danny Ward, the Wales international goalkeeper signed from Liverpool for £12.5 million. Johnny Evans the Northern Ireland defender has signed from West Brom for an undisclosed fee. Continuing with defenders, they have signed Portugal international Ricardo Pereira from Porto for an undisclosed fee. Finally, in the list of signings, they have signed winger and Algeria international Rachid Ghezzal from AS Monaco for a fee reported to be £10 million, that could rise to £12.5 million. A player who has finally left Leicester and was a very important player for them is winger Riyad Mahrez the Algeria international, he joined Manchester City for a club record £60 million.

Leicester City are 8th in the table, a point and two places behind the Cherries. They lost their opening game away at Old Trafford 2-1 against Manchester United. Their first home game they beat newcomers Wolves 2-0. Leicester’s first and only away win so far was at Southampton, they beat Saints 1-2. In their last home game, Leicester lost 1-2 to Liverpool.

Trivia

One of the stars for England in the World Cup in Russia was Leicester City player Harry Maguire. He started his career at Sheffield United in the 2010-11 season when they were in the Championship, he played a few games towards the end of the season and it was the season they were relegated to League 1. The next season he came up against the Cherries for the first time in December 2011 at Dean Court, our manager was Lee Bradbury. Sheffield United won that game 0-2 with two own goals from AFCB, Maguire was booked in that game. The next time Harry Maguire came to Dean Court with Sheffield United was the following season in February, it was the season Eddie Howe returned to our club, United won that game 0-1. But at the end of the season, we were promoted to the Championship after finishing second, a point behind Champions Doncaster Rovers.

In our games in the Premier League against Leicester City at Dean Court, the figure 1 is prominent. The 2015-16 season, it finished 1-1. 2016-17, 1-0 to AFCB. 2017-18, 0-0.

At the King Power Stadium Leicester’s ground. 2015-16 season it finished 0-0. 2016-17, 1-1. 2017-18, 1-1.

In our other league games, there has always been a 1 goal difference in the results. They were either a home or away win, no draws. The only exception was a League Cup game at Dean Court in which Leicester won 0-2. In all our home league games, AFCB have Won 2, Drawn 2, Lost 3. In all competitions, AFCB have Won 4, Drawn 5, Lost 6.

AFCB Team News

Added to our injury list of Marc Pugh, Charlie Daniels and Junior Stanislas is Ryan Fraser after playing for Scotland. Injury site says all should be available for 15th September, with some more doubtful than others. Ryan is a slight doubt, along with Charlie. No news on other players who have been on international duty. If Charlie Daniels is fit it will be interesting if Eddie plays him instead of Diego Rico. Also if he makes any other changes, a strong squad to pick from.

AFCB Player To Watch

At home, it must be Ryan Fraser, causes the opposition problems, which often ends with Fraser being fouled. Hope we see another good performance from him, he seems to be able to turn it on in front of his home fans. Let’s hope he’s playing. A number of our fans will want to have a first look at Diego Rico and Jefferson Lerma in the Premier League, subject to Eddie picking them.

Leicester C Team News

Caglar Soyuncu more a fitness doubt for Saturday. Matty James has been out for a while with an Achilles injury. Again no news on those on international duty.

Leicester C Player To Watch

Jamie Vardy has played in two games so far this season, in the opening fixture away against Manchester United where he scored. He was sent off in the 66th minute in Leicester’s home game against Wolves for a foul which he got a straight red and three-game ban. He has scored a few goals against us in the past and will want to make his mark after missing games. Behind him in the number 10 spot will probably be James Maddison who signed from Norwich. A very good player from a free-kick and an all-round strong player, can also score goals, could cause us a few problems.

The referee is Craig Pawson.

We had him last season for our home games against Brighton and Chelsea.

So far this season in three PL games he has shown 10 yellows and 2 reds.