The most recent meeting between Leicester City and Sunderland was the penultimate fixture of last season, where the two sides battling for Premier League survival earned a point each in a tense 0-0 draw.
This point was enough to confirm City's miraculous survival, and the blues have made a number of signings to build on that. The Black Cats, however, have had the boost of Dick Advocaat making a U-turn on his decision to retire by extending his contract with the side.
Sunderland have bolstered their squad with five new signings, including two defenders in Younes Kaboul and the permanent signature of Sebastian Coates from Liverpool. Sunderland defence last season was left wondering at times as the experienced pairing of John O'Shea and Wes Brown failed to keep up with the pace of Premier League strikers. Leicester would have liked to have utilised this through Jamie Vardy or the quick feet of Shinji Okazaki, though these signings could provide a steady back line.
A player the Foxes may want to look out for is new singing, Jermaine Lens. A huge coup for the club, the winger signed on an undisclosed fee (believed to be around £8 million), and averaging a goal every three games over the last five years, Leicester 3-5-2 formation they have used most often during pre-season could be at threat.
Another player with a sound goals-to-games ratio is Leicester's Andrej Kramaric. Signing from Croatian side Rijeka, the striker did not make an inspirational start to life in the PL. Making some impressive performances during pre-season, the Croatian could cause the Sunderland defence some threat. That is, providing he is selected in the starting eleven.
Leicester face the welcome problem of having almost all first team strikers being in good form. Shinji Okazaki netted a deserved goal in the side's 3-2 win over Birmingham City, and England's new forward, Jamie Vardy has continued his fine form following the end of the 2014/15 season.
The opening fixture looks to be another tense encounter between two possible relegation rivals. Leicester's home faithful were crucial in creating an intense, full-throttle last few home performances, and the King Power could well be made into a cauldron to kick off Claudio Ranieri's managerial career in the Midlands. The Italian has stated he does not wish to change too much to his side, and believes his football philosophy is to play with plenty of fight and heart, which will be no new challenge for his players.
Dick Advocaat's experienced Sunderland side will not be in for an easy afternoon if they allow the likes of Jamie Vardy, Jeff Schlupp, Marc Albrighton or Riyad Mahrez to put them on the back foot. If the Black Cats wish to take the points away from the Foxes, the battle must be won in the centre of midfield. Cambiasso can no longer lead the side, and new signing N'Golo Kante is not expected to start. City's middle men failed to win many midfield battles last year, and Sunderland will look to take advantage of that.
