No one ever said it was going to be easy for Leicester City following their rags-to-riches story of last season, and the Premier League championship hangover coupled with a deeper division from top to bottom has made for some tough sledding during their title defence.The Foxes hope to jump start their season as they come out of the international break to play Saturday at Vicarage Road against Watford, who have quietly enjoyed life under first-year coach Walter Mazzarri.The infusion of television revenue into the Premier League has been both good and bad for Leicester City (3-3-5). It allowed Claudio Ranieri to keep almost his entire starting XI from last seasons title-winners save NGolo Kante, but it has also given the potential for every opponent to strengthen a roster -- a big team can afford more superstars while a newly promoted side can find quality depth for the right price.Those two factors, coupled with Leicester now lacking the element of surprise of their dynamic counterattacking style which proved to be the linchpin of their title run, have seen the Foxes play uneven throughout their domestic season and enter this match 14th in the table. It goes in stark contrast to having a surprisingly easy time moving to the cusp of qualifying for the knockout round in their first Champions League appearance in franchise history while not conceding in any of their four matches.Leicester City went into the break on the heels of a 2-1 loss to West Bromwich Albion that ended their home unbeaten streak at 20 matches. Islam Slimani had pulled the Foxes level on 55 minutes, but Matt Phillips provided the winning margin for the Baggies in the 72nd minute.It was difficult because the opponent is organised defensively and perhaps we didnt shoot enough, forward Shinji Okazaki told LCFC TV.Ranieri also made note of the defence affecting his offence, saying, We made a plan to go on the flank and make crosses from the flank but we made very few. Also the end we made some long balls and for the central defenders it was too easy. To say something is easy to do it is more difficult.For the Foxes, the big issue is the lack of rapid transition from defence to offence in open space. Kantes ability to thwart any buildup in the middle of the park and then find Riyad Mahrez in lightning-like fashion would trigger the open style of play that made Leicester City so deadly last season.The Foxes have only 13 league goals, with Jamie Vardy scoring two and Mahrez only one. Through the first 11 contests of 2015-16, Leicester had 22 goals -- with Vardy in the middle of his record-setting goal-scoring streak while scoring 10 and Mahrez contributing five.But there is cause for optimism since Vardy returns to the Midlands after scoring for England and drawing the penalty that led to the other goal in their 2-2 draw versus Spain in a friendly Monday. He has as many goals for country as he does club in all competitions as the focal point of every opponent Leicester City and England face.As Leicester City look the role of Jekyll and Hyde with their contrasting domestic and Champions League results, Watford (4-3-4) have quietly found an elevated perch behind the big six and enter this contest eighth in the table.Last seasons FA Cup semifinalists have punched at their weight class save their famous win over Manchester United, but before the break, Liverpool ran riot and administered a 6-1 thrashing on the Hornets at Anfield. Four of the goals came after starting goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes was forced to leave through a leg injury suffered in the buildup of the second goal.Watford had shipped only 13 goals in their first 10 matches before being torn apart by Jurgen Klopps unorthodox arrangement that features seven midfielders all constantly on the lookout for an opportunity to press forward.This game is a lesson for the future, Mazzarri told the teams official website. I understand many things from this game and we will learn from this. I am convinced after the international break we will see a different performance.Gomes right now is questionable for this match, which leaves Costel Pantilimon in line for his first Premier League start of the season. The Romania international played well in a 1-0 loss to Russia in a friendly, making a string of quality saves before being let down by his defence deep in stoppage time.Like Leicester, Watford are missing offence from their dynamic duo of Odion Ighalo and Troy Deeney. The duo, which combined for 28 goals in league play last season, has just four thus far, and Oghalo has found the back of the net just once. The Nigeria international has not scored since tallying against West Ham United on Sept. 10.Leicester City are 3-1-0 all-time in the top flight against Watford and took a pair of one-goal decisions last season. In the corresponding fixture, Mahrez let fly with a long-range strike in the 56th minute that accounted for the lone goal in a 1-0 Foxes victory.Clelin Ferrell Raiders Jersey . Meanwhile, there were huge victories for Sunderland and West Ham over fellow relegation rivals, leaving the battle to avoid the drop up for grabs with the bottom 11 teams separated by just six points. Eden Hazard and Fernando Torres scored second-half goals to seal a fourth straight victory for Chelsea, which climbed above Arsenal and Manchester City in the standings ahead of their games on Monday and Sunday respectively. Lester Hayes Raiders Jersey . The (11-11-4) Jets are seventh in the Central Division with 26 points. Fifth place Dallas and sixth-seeded Nashville also have 26 points, but the Stars have three games in hand on Winnipeg while Nashville has two. http://www.shoptheraidersonline.com/Elite-Clelin-Ferrell-Raiders-Jersey/ . -- Damian Lillard and LaMarcus Alrdridge were again the go-to duo for the Trail Blazers against the Kings. Derek Carr Raiders Jersey . The return match will take place next Wednesday. Udinese leads Fiorentina 2-1 in the other semifinal. Napoli staged a second-half comeback from two goals down after Gervinhos opener and a stunning strike from Kevin Strootman. John Matuszak Jersey . The 29-year-old Baines has established himself as one of the top attacking full backs in the country and was the subject of two bids from United during the last off-season. Everton manager Roberto Martinez says that keeping Baines at the club is a "massive boost and exciting for the future" because he brings "maturity and football knowledge in a very specialized position on the pitch" and an "infectious and positive influence to the rest of the squad.MINNEAPOLIS -- Minnesota Timberwolves guard Zach LaVine was scratched from the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday because of a sore right knee.LaVine appeared to tweak his knee in a loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday night. The Timberwolves announced about 20 minutes before game. LaVine is third on the team in scoring at 19.8 points per game and is one of the teams best 3-pointt shooters.ddddddddddddForward Shabazz Muhammad was also out with a sore right knee and swingman Brandon Rush missed his fourth straight game with a strained big toe on his right foot.The Timberwolves inserted Nemanja Bjelica into the starting lineup in place of LaVine. ' ' '