Leicester City and Brentford kick-off their respective Premier League seasons on Sunday, off the back of slightly contrasting campaigns last time out.
The Bees secured survival in their maiden top-flight season with relative comfort in the end, as The Foxes stuttered to a mid-table finish after having much higher expectations.
Both clubs have lost key players over the summer but look to get their league campaigns off to the best possible starts.
This fixture saw the hosts come away with a comfortable 2-1 victory thanks to goals from Timothy Castagne and James Maddison.
-
Team News
Having lost Kasper Schmeichel in the week before the season begins, Daniel Iversen is likely to deputise in goal for Leicester.
As with Wesley Fofana last season, a defender suffered a long-term injury in the final pre-season friendly with Ricardo Pereira set for six months on the sidelines with an achilles injury, meaning James Justin will likely start at right wing-back.
The injury to Pereira could see Brendan Rodgers revert to a back three, with Daniel Amartey and Fofana partnering new club-captain Jonny Evans.
Harvey Barnes also misses out but James Maddison, Youri Tielemans and Jamie Vardy will be available despite question marks over their futures throughout the summer.
For Thomas Frank’s Bees, new signings Aaron Hickey and Ben Mee are available to start in defence after their appearances in the final pre-season encounter against Real Betis.
They are yet to replace Christian Eriksen in the midfield so the tried and trusted trio of Vitaly Janelt, Christian Nørgaard and Mathias Jensen should start.
Fellow new arrival Keane Lewis-Potter will likely make his debut from the bench with a front three of Yoane Wissa, Bryan Mbeumo and Ivan Toney leading the line.
-
Likely line-ups
Leicester City
Iversen; Amartey, Evans, Fofana; Justin, Ndidi, Tielemans, Castagne; Maddison, Iheanacho; Vardy.
Brentford
Raya; Hickey, Jansson, Mee, Henry; Janelt, Nørgaard, Jensen; Wissa, Toney, Mbeumo.
-
Key players
Leicester City – James Maddison
There is a reason Newcastle United are offering upwards of £50 million for Maddison.
He is Leicester’s orchestrater in the midfield, with his ability to pick out his team mates wherever they are on the pitch.
The former Norwich City man can get out of tight situations, which will help him against Brentford’s high press on Sunday.
He will not be leading the press from the front but he is crucial when possession is regained – his great range of passing helps turn defence into attack instantaneously.
And from set pieces, Maddison can cause danger, whether it be scoring from the dead ball himself or finding teammates, which is something Leicester need to be better at this season.
He makes The Foxes tick, and an in-form James Maddison like the one from the end of last season will be important not just this weekend but all year long.
Brentford – Ivan Toney
Brentford’s big man is the focal point and rightfully the subject of much speculated interest during this summer.
Toney can do it all, and did do it all last season, from attack to defence.
Obviously, his goals were pivotal last campaign and will be again this, with his 12 strikes leading The Bees to safety.
Either foot, in the air and from the spot, Toney gets his goals any way he can.
His five assists also showed his playmaking ability has he made his second consecutive jump up the divisions, just two-and-a-half years ago he was turning out for League One Peterborough United.
But he can also impact the game on the defensive end.
Countless times, Toney will win the first ball in his own box when defending a corner with his commanding presence and unmatched desire.
It will be interesting to see how Toney progresses in his second season in the top-flight.
-
Match details
Where is the game being played?
The King Power Stadium, Leicester plays host to Leicester City vs Brentford.
What time is kick-off?
Kick-off is at 2pm BST, on Sunday, August 7.
How to watch?
The game is not live on television in the United Kingdom, but highlights are available straight after the game.