Leicester City - despite having a positive start to their Premier League campaign - have slipped in recent months, and are now down in the relegation zone. As they prepare to host Gus Poyet's Sunderland this weekend, Nigel Pearson will know his side need to stop the rot.

"They are a much better side than people give them credit for, people under-estimate their qualities"

- Nigel Pearson

Leicester manager Pearson had some positive comments for Leicester's opposition this weekend, suggesting that they are a better team that some give them credit for:  “They have some quality players, no doubt about that, and I think people under-estimate their qualities,” he said. "I think people would probably look at the game against Southampton and, if you look that game, they did have some good chances themselves. It doesn’t give you a realistic picture of what they are all about. Occasionally, games like that occur, although rarely." Continuing, he also had praise for their style of play, pointing out their successes last season: "They are a very well-organised team, and on the back of their successes at the end of last season, when they had to endure a very tough time and came through", Pearson said.

Leicester, however, have been on a dismal run of results of late, with no wins in their last six fixtures, and five losses in that period. The optimism that came with the positive start to the season has begun to dwindle and Pearson knows that his side need a big win - and soon. In their last league fixture, Leicester frustrated high-flying Southampton for 75 minutes before two Shane Long goals saw them off. With just nine points from 11 games Leicester are in a precarious position and although Pearson has backed his side's Premier League credentials, they are going to need to start showing them - sooner rather than later.

"We have to make sure we are much better than the previous game after the international break"

- Gus Poyet

For Poyet and Sunderland, the season has been a big of a mixed bag as they continue to just do enough to keep their head above water. Poyet has cautioned his players against losing focus after coming back from the international break, such as last time. Sunderland were the recipients of a humiliating 8-0 defeat to Southampton last time out, as Poyet playfully referenced in his pre-match comments: "We have to make sure that we are much better than the previous game after the international break, if you know what I mean," he said. "That's the best way to come back. Close it, 'That's it, the internationals have finished until the next one in March, I'm not going to think about it now, I am fully focused on Sunderland'."

Sunderland are in fourteenth place, three points above the relegation zone after collecting 12 points in their opening 11 games. It is a decent return for the Black Cats, but Poyet will be hoping his side can pick up a few more points and put some distance between them and the sides around them. Sunderland come into the fixture off the back of a 1-1 draw with Everton, and the fans will feel that Saturday's game is a chance to go one better and pick up the three points.

It is good news for Pearson and Leicester on the injury front, as aside from substitute goalkeeper Ben Hamer, they have a fully fit squad ready for the visit of Sunderland on Saturday. Pearson could stick with the 4-3-1-2 formation has has used of late, while Paul Konchesky could return to play at left-back.

Poyet has a number of players injured - Patrick van Aanholt, Sebastián Coates, Ricardo Álvarez, Emanuele Giaccherini and Billy Jones - but his Sunderland side will be boosted by the fitness of Steven Fletcher. Forced off for Scotland on international duty he was removed for the squad, but Poyet has confirmed he will start the game against Leicester. Lee Cattermore also returns after serving his suspension, and will likely start on Saturday.