Preview: Leicester City vs. Watford

Leicester City host Watford at the King Power Stadium on Thursday for the first leg of their Championship playoff semi-final.

The Foxes crept into the top six on the final day of the regular season last weekend with a dramatic 3-2 victory at rivals Nottingham Forest.

Anthony Knockaert netted in the final minute at the City Ground to keep Leicester's promotion hopes alive.

However, it was a different story for Watford as a 2-1 defeat against Leeds saw them fail to take the final automatic promotion place in the table.

Hull City's draw against Cardiff City meant that the Hornets would have sealed their place in the Premier League with a win at Vicarage Road, but two blunders from rookie goalkeeper Jack Bonham condemned them to the lottery of the playoffs.

Watford won both matches against Leicester when the two teams met earlier in the season.

Ritchie de Laet, Paul Konchesky and Sean St Ledger are expected to be fit for the home side, while loanees Michael Keane and Harry Kane will also be available.

Meanwhile, goalkeeping duo Manuel Almunia and Jonathan Bond both face late fitness tests for the visitors, who are without the suspended Troy Deeney.

Recent form

Leicester: DDWDLW

Watford: DLLWWL

Possible lineups

Leicester: Schmeichel; De Laet, Morgan, Keane; King, Dyer, James, Knockaert, Schlupp; Nugent, Wood

Watford: Bond; Doyley, Pudi, Cassetti, Chalobah; Ekstrand, Hogg, Anya, Abdi; Forestieri; Vydra

Sports Mole says: 1-2