Newcastle United went into their last clash with Leicester City believing they could take advantage of weary bodies and minds on the back of a defeat against Napoli for their hosts.
Back then the Foxes were still licking their wounds after that crushing defeat in Naples as they crashed out of the Europa League and into the Europa Conference League. But if you ever wanted to learn anything about Brendan Rodgers' side it was that afternoon back in early December. Rather than feeling sorry for themselves, they went on to trounce Newcastle 4-0.
Newcastle's last game in Europe, way back in 2013, resulted in a 1-1 draw against Benfica which wasn't enough to see them through over two legs. The next game proved to be a painful affair as Sunderland beat them 3-0 in the derby on a day when fatigue was deemed a major factor.
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That day boss Alan Pardew said: "They looked like a team who have worked on us on the training ground all week. We looked like a team who had a tough game on Thursday night."
These are different days now though and with Leicester making the Thursday night curse for teams in Europe looking like a bit of a myth, Newcastle will need to be on red alert. It means the warning signs are already there ahead of the Easter Sunday clash at St James' Park for the corresponding fixture. Yes, Leicester will be going into this one on the back of another Continental jaunt, this time away to PSV Eindhoven.
However, those European hangovers, and the usual tiredness that comes with them, don't seem to bother Leicester. After they won an enthralling game 4-3 against Spartak Moscow earlier in the campaign in Russia they returned to beat Brentford away a few days later.
After travelling to Randers in Denmark in February and won 3-1 in the Conference League they then headed to Burnley and picked up three important Premier League points. And even after a 2-1 loss in France against Rennes, after still negotiating the tie 3-2 on aggregate, Leicester breezed to another win against Brentford, this time at home. So whatever happens over in Holland on Thursday night, it doesn't necessarily suggest that it makes Sunday's game any easier for Newcastle.
Unlike a lot of managers, Rodgers is keen to make playing in Europe work for Leicester and rather than frowning upon Thursday night games, he said: "Over the last few years, getting Leicester into Europe is something we've wanted. "That's what I said when I came in. These are great nights, to play in Europe and travel in Europe and go as far as you can. We continue with our momentum at weekends."
Leicester are likely to need to win the Europa Conference League to get back to the Europa League next season though. After a superb season last term, when they finished fifth and won the FA Cup, they find themselves in ninth spot and some distance off the final European place.
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