Who knows what might have happened had David Moyes responded positively to Leicester’s overtures following Nigel Pearson’s departure. Instead they turned to Claudio Ranieri and the rest is history but the champions arrive on Wearside with a stumble in their step and only five more points than their bottom-placed hosts. Yet if Ranieri is mildly anxious, Moyes remains desperate for a win. Much hinges on whether Sunderland’s Jermain Defoe and Victor Anichebe and Leicester’s Jamie Vardy have their shooting boots on. Louise Taylor
Kick-off Saturday 3pm
Venue Stadium of Light
Last season Sunderland 0 Leicester City 2
Referee Andre Marriner
This season G10, Y40, R1, 4.20 cards per game
Odds H 2-1 A 6-5 D 5-2
Sunderland
Subs from Mannone, Manquillo, Love, O’Shea, Kirchhoff Januzaj, Khazri, Larsson
Doubtful Kirchhoff (hamstring)
Injured Borini (groin, 17 Dec), Gooch (ankle, Mar), Cattermole (hip, Apr), McNair (knee, Aug), Rodwell (hamstring, unknown)
Suspended None
Form LLLWWL
Discipline Y29 R3
Leading scorer Defoe 7
Leicester City
Subs from Hamer, Hernández, Wasilewski, Chilwell, Schlupp, Mendy, Mahrez, Okazaki
Doubtful None
Injured Schmeichel (hand, 17 Dec)
Suspended Drinkwater (second of three)
Form LWDLLD
Discipline Y22 R0
Leading scorer Slimani 4
