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Kieran McKenna: Leicester City are still a good team, says Ipswich boss
Kieran McKenna won his 100th game as Ipswich boss in midweek
Leicester City will be no pushovers when they visit Portman Road in the Championship on Saturday (15:00 GMT), according to Ipswich Town head coach Kieran McKenna.
The Foxes have slipped into the relegation zone after having six points deducted for breaching financial regulations, and on the back of a nine-game winless run, but McKenna says they still have plenty of quality.
"We felt it earlier in the season… you look at their starting 11 and they're as strong as anyone in the division," McKenna told BBC Radio Suffolk.
"If you look at their Premier League experience and international caps and things like that they may even be the strongest team, but in the end it doesn't really matter, we know they have good players and an experienced manager – but we feel we're a good team with good players and it's up to us to show that."
'Still a bit of stinging injustice' – McKenna on wanting Leicester City revenge
Kieran McKenna is keen to secure a fourth successive win as his Ipswich Town side take to the pitch at Portman Road for the third time in a week.
However, the manager is aware that today’s opponents – struggling Leicester City – will be a tough assignment, despite their league position.
The Foxes occupy a place in the relegation zone, having been hit with a six-point deduction for financial breaches. It means that relegation to League One is a distinct possibility, just a decade on from their remarkable Premier League title win.
“We know we’re facing a really good team," said McKenna. “We felt it earlier in the season (when losing 3-1 at the King Power Stadium).
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Ipswich Town Vs Leicester City: Portman Road Stakes Rise as Form and History Collide
Ipswich Town Vs Leicester City frames a clear inflection: Ipswich can climb higher in the Championship with a home result even as Leicester arrive in deep trouble after a six-point deduction and a nine-game winless run. Kieran McKenna, Ipswich Town head coach, marked a milestone by winning his 100th game as Ipswich boss in midweek and has warned that Leicester still possess quality despite their current position. Squad availability will matter too: Ashley Young is unavailable and Jaden Philogene is stepping up ball work but has not trained with the group yet.
The matchup compresses two contrasting narratives. Ipswich sit inside the automatic places and can climb with a win; Leicester occupy a place in the relegation zone after a six-point deduction for financial breaches and are on a nine-game run without victory. That sequence of results has been compounded by a prolonged defensive issue: Leicester have gone 29 consecutive league games without a clean sheet, a run that places added pressure on their goalkeepers and back line.
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