The low-down on Sunday's opponents from the King Power Stadium
With eight draws in the last 15 meetings between Wanderers and Leicester – one of which came in a stalemate at the Reebok Stadium last November – Sunday’s contest at the King Power Stadium looks set to be a tight affair if nothing else.
A fixture which has been few and far between in recent years – last season marked the first league clash between the teams in eight years – the corresponding game last term saw Nigel Pearson’s men run out 3-2 winners on home soil back in April courtesy of Jeffrey Schlupp’s late strike.
Having enjoyed an impressive start to the current campaign with 45 points accumulated from their 22 league games so far, the Foxes are currently leading the pack at the top of the Championship table, two points ahead of second placed Burnley.
With aspirations of returning to the Premier League for the first time in a decade, City came close last term only to be denied a place at Wembley at the death during the second leg of their play-off semi-final clash with Watford.
A bitter pill to swallow for a team which have been fighting for promotion to the top tier since their League One title winning season in 2009, there have certainly been no lasting after effects of their play-off heartbreak.
The return of manager Pearson to the helm has undoubtedly proven to be crucial to Leicester’s recent successes – having departed the club in 2010, the former defender re-joined the Foxes just a year later following the departure of chairman Milan Mandaric.
With City having secured ninth and sixth place finishes respectively in the past two years, Pearson has transformed a side which struggled to climb out of the lower reaches of the Championship table following their relegation from the top flight in 2004.
The Leicester boss has proved to be thrifty in the transfer market, bringing the likes of top scorer David Nugent to the club on a free transfer – a move which has ultimately been a masterstroke on his part.
The club’s supporters however will be aware of the fact that their side started last season in similar fashion, with a drop in form towards the final months of the campaign meaning that they had to settle for a spot in the play-offs – ironically securing their place ahead of Wanderers on goal difference.
Undoubtedly a force to be reckoned with at present, the Foxes will be aiming to secure their ninth league victory on home soil when the Whites come to town.
With Nottingham Forest having ran out winners at the King Power Stadium last month however, Wanderers will be hoping to cause an upset and record a fifth win on their travels this season.
Rob Tanner - Leicester City reporter for the Leicester Mercury
After the disappointment of last season, City have shown this season they have learned from the experience.
Manager Nigel Pearson has made very few changes to the squad, only adding a few more experienced players, and the stability has led to the club's best ever start to a season.
Now two points clear at the top of the table, they will be keen to avoid last season's collapse when their promotion push faded.
Key will be their home form and although Bolton will offer a stern test, City will start as favourites.
I predict a 2-1 win for Leicester.