The Barclays Premier League returns as Leicester City play host to Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool. The home side go back into league action fresh from having the weekend off whilst this becomes the visitors' third game in the space of a week.
Klopp's men will look to upset the league-leaders however they've massively underperformed this season, as they currently see themselves in seventh. They go into Tuesday's match after their goalless draw with West Ham in the Emirates FA Cup, forcing a much-unwanted replay. The hosts are still on cloud nine as they look to kickstart a run of three very tough fixtures with a win.
Cup Distractions
As mentioned above, this will be the Reds' third game in less than a week at a time when their injury table is stacked full of players. This is a complete contrast to Claudio Ranieri's side, who have seen Liverpool play in two different cup competitions since their last outing. This will provide a massive psychological boost for the Foxes as they'll know that before a ball is kicked on Tuesday night that there'll be Liverpool players with about 50% left in the tank. Ranieri will most likely deploy a tactic which will see his side sit back early on and then push for it in the second half.
If Liverpool want a realistic chance at Champions League qualification, they'll have to keep their injuries to a minimum. With several first-team players currently injured and a congested a fixture list, they'll be hoping on youth to carry them through some games. This is all well and good if they were already in the top four but their snail-paced start to the season has left them a mountain to climb in the second half of the season.
The only competition Leicester are left to feature in is the league, which will suit them perfectly. With all of their fellow title challengers still left in up to three other competitions, it means they will have one focus: to push for the league title. This also suits the Midlanders as their strength-in-depth isn't anywhere near as strong as their rivals, as highlighted before that if Riyad Mahrez or Jamie Vardy pick up a knock, they could have quite a problem.
Lack of Business
Neither side have been particularly busy so far in the window, with only Leicester making any movements of the two. Liverpool's ongoing failure to get deals over the line has showed no signs of stopping as obvious interest for Alex Texeira was shot down instantly by Shakhtar Donesk.
Leicester have made two signings which look to be very intricate pieces of business: the signing of Demarai Gray from Birmingham for £3.75 million and the aquisation of Daniel Amartey from FC Kobenhavn for in the region of £5 million. Whilst both are less than 22 years old, the pair are clearly already a part of Claudio Ranieri's short-term plans.
Both sides have been linked with several players throughout the window. Liverpool being linked with every half-decent attacking-midfielder across Europe whilst the Foxes have been linked with every half-decent striker across Europe since Ranieri admitted to being interested in a new frontman.
If any deals are to be done then they'll have to be completed on the much-hyped Deadline Day. A move for a striker to the King Power Stadium wouldn't be a surprise whilst a world-class midfielder to Liverpool is possibly pushing it a bit.
Predicted Line-Ups
Leicester City - Kasper Schmeichel, Danny Simpson, Wes Morgan, Robert Huth, Christian Fuchs; Marc Albrighton, N'Golo Kante, Danny Drinkwater, Riyad Mahrez; Shinji Okazaki, Jamie Vardy
Liverpool - Simon Mignolet, Nathaniel Clyne, Dejan Lovren, Mahmadou Sakho, Alberto Moreno; Jordan Henderson, Emre Can; Adam Lallana, Roberto Firmino, James Milner; Christian Benteke
