Notts County vs Leicester City opened the League One season at Meadow Lane on Saturday. The fixture carried unusual historical weight. It marked the first league meeting between the two clubs since Notts County beat Leicester 4-1 in March 1994, according to the BBC. That result remains the Magpies' only victory in their last 13 home league matches against the Foxes. The BBC noted a record of six draws and six defeats across that stretch. Leicester, for their part, have lost just one of their last seven league meetings with Notts County. They have won four and drawn two. Still, the BBC pointed out they would be looking to avoid back-to-back league losses to the Magpies for the first time since 1914.
The fixture also has a curious matchday-one history. The BBC recorded that the two sides have opened a league campaign against each other twice before. Notts County lost 3-0 in 1952 before turning the tables with a 4-0 win in 1983. Leicester arrived at Meadow Lane carrying the scars of a difficult end to last season on the road. They had won just one of their final 13 away league games in the Championship. BBC data shows that run ended with a 1-0 victory at Blackburn Rovers in May.
Saturday's match represented a far sterner test than Leicester's opening-weekend form suggested. According to Yahoo Sports, via foxesofleicester.com, the Foxes had begun their season with a narrow Carabao Cup win over Northampton Town at the King Power Stadium. That result offered only limited insight into new manager Russell Martin's overhauled squad. The trip to Notts County, by contrast, was billed as the clearer examination of how Martin's methods were taking hold in League One.
Leicester's relegation from the Championship triggered one of the busiest transfer windows in the club's recent history. Yahoo Sports reported the Foxes brought in Conor Chaplin, Harry Howell, Admir Bristric, Liam Cullen, Wes Burns, Tommy Watson, Alex McCarthy, Franco Ravizzoli and Christian McFarlane over the summer. They let go of established names including Harry Winks, Abdul Fatawu, Jeremy Monga, Jannik Vestergaard, Patson Daka, Ricardo Pereira and Jordan Ayew. Despite the volume of incomings, observers cited by Yahoo Sports felt Leicester might still need additional depth. Central defence was flagged as a particular concern before the transfer window closes.
Martin confirmed no further strikers would be signed before the deadline. That means Admir Bristric, Bobby De Cordova-Reid and Liam Cullen were set to lead the line for the season, according to Yahoo Sports. That decision has already prompted debate among supporters. Many wonder whether the trio can generate enough consistent goals to sustain a promotion push in a competitive division.
On team news, Leicester had more encouraging updates heading into the trip. Goalkeeper Alex McCarthy returned to full contention after missing the Carabao Cup tie against Northampton. His return gives Martin experienced competition for the number-one shirt and a potential long-term rival to Jakub Stolarczyk. Loan signing Christian McFarlane's clearance to play also set up a fresh battle at left-back with Luke Thomas. Yahoo Sports suggested that competition should sharpen both players over the campaign. The more troubling news centred on Conor Chaplin, one of Leicester's marquee summer additions. He was ruled out for the Notts County trip, an early setback for the former Ipswich Town midfielder. Defender Ben Nelson remained the squad's only long-term injury absentee.
Notts County, described by Goal.com as the world's oldest professional football club, arrived at the fixture off the back of promotion from League Two last season under manager Martin Paterson. That promotion was sealed with a 3-0 win over Salford City in May. Their preparation for the step up, however, had been rocky. Goal.com reported a run of pre-season defeats to Viborg, Randers FC and Nottingham Forest, along with a Carabao Cup exit at the hands of Burnley. County had conceded freely in the buildup, even if such results carry limited weight before a ball is kicked in anger. Leicester's own pre-season form was mixed by comparison. It featured a 1-1 draw with Millwall, a 3-3 friendly draw with Malaga and a defeat to Genoa. The club scored and conceded six goals apiece across their last five matches, per Goal.com.
Once the match itself got underway at Meadow Lane, the opening exchanges were tight. Bobby De Cordova-Reid tested James Belshaw early, forcing a save from a right-footed effort in the 19th minute, according to BBC live coverage. He then saw a follow-up shot drift too high four minutes later. Leicester continued to create the better openings through the first half. Sammy Braybrooke fired narrowly wide in the 34th minute after a Luke Thomas assist. De Cordova-Reid also had a headed effort blocked from a Will Alves cross. Notts County's Callum Roberts and Nick Tsaroulla both won attacking free-kicks and forced moments of pressure, though Tsaroulla's effort on goal drifted too high. The half also saw a string of fouls from both sides. That culminated in a yellow card for Notts County's James Gibbons in the 43rd minute, with the scoreline still level heading toward the interval.
Beyond the pitch, Leicester's summer has generated headlines for reasons unrelated to results. Goal.com reported that teenage forward Louis Page has attracted interest from Manchester United and Arsenal. Jamie Vardy's name has also resurfaced in connection with a possible return to English football. For Martin, keeping the focus on performances at grounds like Meadow Lane was described as a priority. That focus matters as his first league campaign in charge, beginning with Notts County vs Leicester City, got underway.
