Newcastle United welcome the Premier League’s surprise package Leicester City to St James’ Park this Saturday afternoon, with Steve McClaren’s burgeoning side looking to scoop their third win in five games.
Despite stealing three vital points in their crunch clash with AFC Bournemouth prior to the international break, the Magpies were thoroughly unconvincing in victory – and a similarly abject display will undoubtedly be punished by Claudio Ranieri’s menacing Foxes side.
Since taking over at the King Power Stadium this summer, the seasoned Italian coach has astutely tweaked the winning formula he inherited from predecessor Nigel Pearson to steer the Blues to the upper echelons of the Premier League table.
Although Leicester’s defensive record is notably mediocre, much of their success has been down to their swashbuckling attacking style and they arrive on Tyneside boasting a wealth of potent forward options.
The Blues’ record-chasing frontman Jamie Vardy will be desperate to continue his stupendous purple patch in front of goal, but the Englishman will face a newly resolute Newcastle defence that have recorded consecutive clean sheets in their last two outings .
Here, we take a look at the five key duels that will determine whether the Magpies can continue their recent resurgence by taming the high-flying Foxes.
