After another convincing victory at the weekend, Leicester City will hope to maintain their push for promotion against Preston North End at the King Power Stadium on Wednesday 4th October. Last Word on Football brings you the predicted lineup for the Midlands club.
Leicester City Predicted Lineup vs Preston North End in EFL Championship
How Leicester City Have Lined-up Recently
Manager Enzo Maresca has used his entire squad in the last two games, fielding a nearly full-strength lineup against Blackburn at Ewood Park. This came after resting the most of his regular starters in the Carabao Cup defeat to Liverpool at Anfield. With defender Callum Doyle out for the foreseeable future due to injury, it appears that the Italian manager will ask James Justin to fill in for the young Manchester City loanee. Justin, who has recently recovered from a horrific injury, will need to be monitored to ensure there is no recurrence.
The formation has been constant throughout the season to date, with the designated right back asked to float into a midfield role, creating an extra offensive option. On the whole, Portuguese Ricardo Pereira has been asked to undertake this role although Hamza Choudhury has also adequately covered when required during cup games.
Leicester City Recent Form and Tactics
Under the lights, up for the fight 🦊#LEIPNE pic.twitter.com/C7lX71159W
— Leicester City (@LCFC) October 4, 2023
This season, the Midlands club has only dropped three points in the league. After nine games, they are in first place in the Championship table with twenty-four points. With over a fifth of the season gone, a continuation of this extraordinary form would not only guarantee promotion, but would also shatter the league record for most points scored in a season. Reading currently holds the points lead with 106.
The fluidity and cohesiveness of play has shown clear signs of improvement as the campaign has progressed. It is apparent that the players have been asked to adopt a patient and progressive style of play. This has at times frustrated fans with many displaying their unhappiness at not playing forward.
Maresca has made his intentions very clear and this style is beginning to show signs of fruition. There are not many occasions where the goalkeeper punts the ball forward to target attacking players. Instead, the ball is played to feet from the back, utilising all players. Conceding a goal whilst playing from the back against Blackburn will be of some concern. However, a number of goals have been created from long spells of passing and possession and this will be something the coaching staff will be keen to work on further.
Leicester City Injuries to Consider
Kasey McAteer came off shortly after coming on as a substitute in their last match. A hamstring injury will keep him sidelined for four to six weeks. Callum Doyle will be out for at least three to four months. Dennis Praet remains on the sidelines for another month before being considered. Summer signing Tom Cannon remains a long-term absentee with no indication of his return to training.
Jannik Vestergaard misses this game through suspension, having picked up five yellow cards this season.
Leicester City Predicted Lineup
Mads Hermansen, Ricardo Pereira, Wout Faes, Hamza Choudhury, Conor Coady, Harry Winks, Wilfred Ndidi, Kiernan Dewsbury Hall, Stephy Mavididi, Kelechi Iheanacho, Yunus Akgun