Hello and welcome to
Sports Mole's live text coverage of this afternoon's Premier League clash between
Leicester City and
Tottenham Hotspur at the King Power Stadium. High-flying Leicester come into this game full of confidence having won both of their opening two matches of the season. Meanwhile, Spurs are still without a victory this term after taking one points from a possible six. Team news will be through shortly.
LEICESTER: Schmeichel; De Laet, Huth, Morgan, Schlupp; Albrighton, Drinkwater, King, Mahrez; Okazaki, Vardy
LEICESTER SUBS: Schwarzer, Kante, Kramaric, Ulloa, Fuchs, Benalouane, Inler
Leicester boss
Claudio Ranieri has named the same starting XI that earned a 2-1 win at West Ham United last weekend, which means that new signing Gokhan Inler will have to wait for his debut. However, the Switzerland international midfielder is on the bench for the Foxes.
SPURS: Lloris; Walker, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Davies; Dier, Mason, Chadli, Dembele, Lamela; Kane
SPURS SUBS: Vorm, Rose, Trippier, Alli, Bentaleb, Carroll, Onomah
Mauricio Pochettino has made one change to his starting XI following last weekend's 2-2 draw with Stoke City as Erik Lamela replaces Christian Eriksen. The Dane is suffering with a knee injury that he picked up in training. Elsewhere, new signing Clinton N'Jie doesn't make the squad.
It would be fair to say that Leicester have surprised pretty much everyone so far this season, winning both of their games so far. There were plenty of doubts as to whether
Claudio Ranieri would be suitable for the hotseat at the King Power Stadium, but the veteran Italian coach has exceeded all expectations during the opening two weeks of the campaign.
Claudio Ranieri, speaking to The Telegraph earlier this week: "I want to stay here a long time but I know the result is the boss. I'm very positive and happy to be here at Leicester. The chairman is positive with me, I met him in London on Wednesday and he's very happy with me – I hope!"
While it's been a flying start to the season for Leicester, the same can't be said of Spurs.
Mauricio Pochettino's men lost their opening game of the campaign to Manchester United before throwing away a two-goal lead to draw at home to Stoke City last weekend. The Argentine will be well aware that a positive result is needed at the King Power Stadium today in order to quell the quiet murmurings of discontent at the club.
Mauricio Pochettino: "You look at the table after 10 games. Then you need to be worried or maybe you are happy. It is very long season and we need to keep the same level and improve defensively and be more consistent.
"All the people will speak about we need offensive players but we need to be more consistent because we conceded a lot of goals last season.
"It wasn't our problem to score, it was conceding goals and we need to improve that this season. We know we face a very difficult game against Leicester."
Got a few minutes to spare before kickoff? Check out our video preview of this afternoon's game below:
HEAD TO HEAD: Tottenham have the dominant record when it comes to past meetings between these side, winning 43 times. Meanwhile, Leicester have prevailed on 30 occasions. There have also been 17 draws since they first met over 100 years ago.
These teams played each other three times last season. Tottenham earned two wins in the Premier League, while Leicester came out on top when they met in the fourth round of the FA Cup.
This fixture has certainly had its share of goals in recent years. The ball has hit the back of the net a whopping 26 times during the last five encounters between Leicester and Spurs. Here's hoping for a bit more of that today.
UPDATE! Today's early kickoff has just ended at Old Trafford, where Newcastle United have held Manchester United to a goalless draw. The hosts were frantically banging on the door during the final stages of the match, but the Magpies defended heroically to earn themselves a share of the spoils.
It might sound crazy, but the knee-jerk rules of modern football would suggest that anything other than a Spurs win would lead to some real pressure on Mauricio Pochettino - even this early in the season. Daniel Levy can expect some ire to be directed his way as well if the visitors fail to impress this afternoon due to the club's modest activity in the transfer window.
Looking at the game from a Leicester perspective, what would a win mean for the Foxes? This season is all about them cementing themselves in the top flight having avoided relegation last term. However, it would be unsurprising if the fans started dreaming of Europe with three wins out of three...
PREDICTION TIME! With kickoff fast approaching, how do you see this match going? Is the Leicester bubble about to be burst or will Tottenham's laboured start to the season continue? We here at Sports Mole can see it ending as an entertaining 2-2 draw.
The teams are starting to emerge in the tunnel, ready to step out onto the pitch inside a packed King Power Stadium. England manager Roy Hodgson is in attendance, which means it's a great chance for the likes of Jamie Vardy to impress.
Here they come!
KICKOFF! The teams are out, the pre-match handshakes have been done, and it will be visitors Spurs to get us underway. Here we go!
Tottenham have enjoyed the majority of the ball so far, passing it about calmly and making Leicester work for it. With the temperature around 30 degrees celsius this afternoon, preserving energy will be key.
The hosts are starting to pose Spurs one or two problems with some dogged attacking play from Vardy and Okazaki. The two forwards are determined individuals who look like they could complement each other well this season. A cross into the box sees Vardy go in for a header, but the visitors manage to clear the danger.
The first proper effort of the afternoon sees Dembele try his luck from 25 yards, but Schmeichel is there to make a simple save.
Leicester put a bit of pressure on Spurs now as Albrighton's free kick is deflected behind. The winger takes the resulting corner, though the home side fail to make anything of it before Spurs regain possession. The Foxes have looked lively when they've got forward.
Half a chance for Leicester as Mahrez - who has been excellent so far - cuts in from the right before having a pop at goal. His effort is almost deflected into the path of Okazaki, but it just doesn't fall for the striker. Mahrez looks as if he's going to give Spurs plenty to think about this afternoon.
It's not quite happening for Tottenham in the final third at the moment. They're showing some good touches in midfield, but that final pass isn't there. Kane has cut something of a lone figure up front.
CHANCE! Leicester come close to taking the lead through Albrighton, who cuts onto his right foot from the left before lashing a shot narrowly off target. Plenty of power in that effort.
The ebb and flow of this match now sees Tottenham asking the questions while Leicester are forced to defend. However, the visitors are struggling with their passes in the final third. They've knocked the ball out of play on a couple of occasions now, gifting back to the hosts.
This is a decent spell for Tottenham. They're limiting Leicester to the occasional counter-attack and are generally keeping the ball well. Mauricio Pochettino will probably want to see a bit more incision from his side, but this is the most threatening that they've looked so far.
CHANCE! Spurs almost turn their dominance into the game's opening goal as Dier meets a corner from the left. However, his header floats harmlessly over the crossbar.
Such is the heat out there today, the players are having a quick drinks break before play continues. Not often you see that in the Premier League.
CHANCE! Dembele tests Schmeichel again with a low effort from about 20 yards, but the Leicester goalkeeper gets down quick to his near post to push the ball away. Dembele then goes into the book for a foul.
YELLOW CARD! Referee Martin Atkinson brandishes his yellow card again, this time to Lamela. The Spurs winger can have no complaints after going in on Schlupp with a high boot.
Despite all of the possession that Spurs are currently enjoying, Kane is still struggling for service in attack. The England striker is being forced to feed off scraps at the moment, and the Leicester defence look like they've got him sussed.
Leicester are still being limited to counter-attacking football, but they nearly take the lead when Vardy races clear down the right before floating in a cross towards Okazaki. It's a decent ball from Vardy, though it's just out of the reach of his diminutive teammate.
Will the visitors be made to pay for not turning their dominance into a goal? Spurs continue to dictate play and certainly look the more likely to open the scoring. They're just lacking that killer touch up front. Dembele has impressed so far in the Tottenham lineup with his vision and intent going forward.
PENALTY APPEAL! Leicester want a penalty as Mahrez goes down in the box under a challenge from Vertonghen, but Martin Atkinson is having none of it. Spurs look to have got away with one there because Vertonghen took down Mahrez from behind.
There will be a minimum of TWO MINUTES added time...
HALF TIME: LEICESTER 0-0 SPURS
It's failed to live up to expectations so far, but that doesn't mean that it's not been entertaining. It remains goalless at the break at the King Power Stadium.
Tottenham have been the better team so far, though some poor finishing and poor attacking play overall has seen them fail to take the game by the scruff of the neck. Leicester have been dangerous too, though their main source of danger has come on the counter-attack.
The hosts may well have something to say about the penalty they were denied come the final whistle. It's looked pretty clear cut as Vertonghen took out Mahrez from behind, but referee Martin Atkinson refused to be budged. It's hard to say why he thought it was a fair challenge from the Tottenham defender.
Mauricio Pochettino is likely to be telling his players to get the ball into Kane's feet more because the striker has been starved of service so far. Meanwhile, Claudio Ranieri could well be wanting to see a bit more mettle from Leicester in midfield. The Foxes have struggled to make their mark in that are of the pitch this afternoon, allowing Spurs to dictate the game from there.
SECOND HALF UNDERWAY! The teams are back out for the second half and it will be Leicester to kick us off. Here we go!
CHANCE! Spurs squander a glorious opportunity to take the lead as Walker plays in Chadli down the right. The Belgian smashes the ball at goal on the angle, but he blazes his effort high and wide when he should have at least been getting it on target. The looks on his face says he knows it.
It's been a bright start to the second half from the away side, who are showing plenty of attacking intent. That chance for Chadli a few minutes ago was the Belgian's first proper involvement in the game following a disappointing opening half for the midfielder.
Half an opening for Tottenham as Chadli rises to meet Lamela's corner from the left, but the Belgian nods a tame header wide of the post. Leicester go up the other end soon after, though Drinkwater can only drag his show off target.
Spurs crank up the pressure with two corners in quick succession, though they can't make anything of them. The first is deflected behind before the second is headed over by Chadli, who is making himself much more known to the Leicester defence in this half. It seems as if he's been told to get forward more.
Chadli's in the thick of the action again, but this time his effort from 25 yards sails over the crossbar. The Leicester fans are making plenty of noise at the moment, even though they're not being given much to cheer about in this second half. The Foxes are finding it tough to make any ground in Tottenham's half.
YELLOW CARD! Dier gets his name in the book following a cynical foul on Vardy.
CHANCE! He's been pretty quiet today, but Kane comes close to breaking the deadlock at the King Power Stadium. Lamela picks out the striker, who then bobs and weaves his way past a couple of Leicester shirts. However, his final effort is straight at Schmeichel.
SPURS SUB: The visitors make their first change of the afternoon as
Dele Alli replaces Erik Lamela. It's been another underwhelming display from the Argentine.
Just over 20 minutes left to play in this match and Spurs still look the more likely to score. Leicester are being forced further and further back. Would the Foxes take a point at this stage? Probably. Meanwhile, it looks as if Tottenham have their eyes on all three.
OFF THE POST! Leicester are denied the game's opening goal by the woodwork! Mahrez does brilliantly down the right, twisting and turning before getting a low shot away on the angle that comes back off Lloris's near post.
The players go to the touchline again for another drinks break. The temperature hasn't relented this afternoon.
The game is starting to open up now as we head towards the final 15 minutes. Leicester are starting to show a bit more adventure going forward, but that's giving Spurs more space at the other end of the pitch.
Kane is livid as he goes down after appearing to be caught by Schlupp when running through on goal, but Martin Atkinson waves play on. Replays suggest that the Spurs striker made a bit of a meal of that. Tottenham then make their second change of the match, with Tom Carroll replacing Moussa Dembele.
LEICESTER SUB: Here's a change for the hosts now as Marc Albrighton is replaced by N'Golo Kante.
LEICESTER SUB: The King Power Stadium gives new signing Gokhan Inler a rousing reception as he comes on for his Leicester debut. Can the Swiss midfielder make himself an instant hero? Danny Drinkwater is the man to make way.
GOAL! LEICESTER 0-1 SPURS (ALLI)
Spurs take the lead as substitute Dele Alli heads in! Chadli gets the ball on the left before clipping an inviting cross towards the back post, where Alli is waiting to nod in unmarked.
GOAL! LEICESTER 1-1 SPURS (MAHREZ)
Wow. Leicester get themselves level within a minute and it's an absolute cracker from
Riyad Mahrez! The winger runs at the Spurs defence from the right before cutting onto his left foot and curling the ball beyond Lloris into the far post. That's his fourth in three games this season.
This game really could go either way at this stage. Both teams are throwing men forward in an attempt to find a winner. Leicester win a free kick on the edge of the box that Vardy steps up to take, but the forward's effort comes back off the wall. It's breathless stuff at the King Power Stadium.
SAVE! What a crucial stop from Lloris to deny Morgan! Mahrez's cross from the left is met by the big defender, but the Tottenham captain somehow keeps the ball out from close range. He might not have known too much about that, to be fair!
SPURS SUB: Another change for Tottenham here as Nabil Bentaleb takes the place of Ryan Mason.
There will be at least FOUR MINUTES of added time. Is that enough for someone to find a winner?
YELLOW CARD! Leicester's Andy King get his name in the book for a late challenge on Alli.
LEICESTER SUB: Riyad Mahrez is brought off for Leicester, allowing the home fans to salute the winger. He's been excellent today. Leo Ulloa takes his place for the final minute.
FULL TIME: LEICESTER 1-1 SPURS
The full-time whistle goes, bringing the curtain down on an entertaining afternoon of football at the King Power Stadium. Leicester and Spurs have to settle for a point apiece after Riyad Mahrez's strike cancelled out Dele Alli's opener.
That's all from our live text coverage of this afternoon's match, but don't forget that you can keep up to date with all of the reaction right here on Sports Mole. Thanks for your company, we hope to see you again soon. Goodbye!