Burton Albion welcome Leicester City to the Pirelli Stadium for this year’s Bass Charity Vase

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Burton Albion face FA Cup winners Leicester City on Saturday afternoon as the Brewers’ pre-season schedule steps up a gear ahead of their 2021/22 Sky Bet League One campaign.

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink’s men will act as the Foxes’ first opponent of pre-season, they are far from favourites in this tie, but they are not to be written off.

The hosts have extra incentive to cause an upset this weekend as they have the opportunity to lift the Bass Charity Vase for the first time since 2016. This unique piece of silverware has been contested by a variety of clubs throughout England since it was founded in 1889, although it is Midlands-based clubs that have predominantly featured in the friendly association football tournament to date.

The competition was created to raise funds for medical and hospital charities and the trophy itself is reputed to be one of the most valuable in English football. Burton are the second most successful side in the history of the competition, having lifted the trophy 12 times, only Derby County (20) have reigned victorious on more occasions.

It has been a mixed bag of results in pre-season for Hasselbaink’s squad so far. From their three fixtures they have returned two wins against non-league opposition, Nuneaton Town and Bognor Regis Town, 3-1 and 3-0 respectively, prior to a 2-1 defeat against League Two side Scunthorpe United.

With seven goals scored by seven individuals so far, there is yet to be a standout star in pre-season to keep a closer eye on once Brendan Rodgers’ side come to town. With that said, last season’s top scorer Kane Hemmings is one of those seven to have gotten himself off the mark early doors as he looks to continue his impressive form into the new season. 

Leicester will have the majority of their first team available for the tie, with the exception of those who featured for their countries in the knockout stages of Euro 2020 such as Youri Tielemans and Kasper Schmeichel. Even when rotated it would be one hell of a shock to see the Foxes overturned on Saturday.

The Brewers are no stranger to defeating the odds, however, having knocked an array of higher league opposition out of cup competitions in recent years, something Leicester will be aware of due to suffering the same fate in 2012, a 4-2 defeat in League Cup action at home to Burton themselves.

Yes, it is pre-season and yes, it is a friendly, however, do not expect Hasselbaink’s squad to take this lightly. They want their trophy back and they will be determined to prove a point against a Leicester side preparing to take on their second consecutive season of European football.

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