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Puel to make 10 changes – Predicted 4-4-2 Leicester City lineup to face Fleetwood Town

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Predicted Leicester City Lineup Against Fleetwood Town In The FA Cup

Premier League football was at its busiest period during the festive season and the clubs will now have to turn their attention to the FA Cup competition. Leicester City, the 2015-16 league winners, have revived this season under new boss Claude Puel, despite a dismal inception.

The Frenchman will eye a trophy triumph this term after failing to grab the League Cup trophy narrowly during his managerial stint with Southampton last season, despite reaching the final. They were humbled by Manchester United at Wembley but Puel has shown his ability to achieve greater glory with the Foxes.

They will travel to Highbury Stadium on Saturday afternoon to encounter League One outfit Fleetwood Town in the 3rd Round tie of the Emirates FA Cup. It will be an uphill task for the Cod Army to proceed further in the competition.

However, the 12th-placed League One side are hopeful of causing a massive upset considering the unpredictability of this esteemed tournament. This outing, meanwhile, is significant for Leicester star Jamie Vardy, who progressed through the lower leagues of English football and eventually completed a transfer from Fleetwood Town, a then non-league outfit, back in 2012.

Team News

Leicester have a few defensive absentees due to injury concerns. Skipper Wes Morgan is set to miss the tie following a hamstring strain, whereas both Robert Huth and Danny Simpson are yet to return from their injuries. Youngster Ben Chilwell will return following his illness but Jamie Vardy’s romantic return to Highbury might not happen due to the player’s groin strain suffered against Liverpool. He will go through a late fitness test ahead of the contest.

Formation (4-4-2)

Puel has experimented with the formations so far and has mostly fielded his side in a 4-4-1-1 setup. However, he has also opted for a 4-2-3-1 as well as a 4-4-2 lineup at times and the latter against Huddersfield earned his side a thumping 3-0 win on the new year’s eve. The gaffer is expected to retain the same and rotate his side against the minnows ahead of their crucial London trip to encounter Chelsea.

Probable Leicester XI

Ben Hamer (GK)

The Englishman has been second-fiddle to Kasper Schmeichel all season but appeared in a couple of League Cup outings and has been preferred ahead of Eldin Jakupovic. He should be recalled between the sticks on Saturday afternoon.

Daniel Amartey (RB)

The versatile Ghanaian international should continue in a makeshift right-back role in place of the injured Danny Simpson and is expected to retain his place in the starting XI.

Aleksandar Dragovic (CB)

The Austrian, on loan from Bayer Leverkusen, has struggled to achieve game-time since his summer switch but the injury to skipper Wes Morgan could now hand him a run of fixtures to impress in the heart of the Leicester defence.

Yohan Benalouane (CB)
He has not featured much since completing a switch from Atalanta back in 2015 but might be handed a start alongside Dragovic in a central defensive role in order to allow the in-form Harry Maguire to have some rest ahead of the Chelsea clash.
Ben Chilwell (LB)
The youngster missed the previous outing due to illness but should start this game against the Cod Army.
Demarai Gray
Demarai Gray (RM)
Gray has now registered himself as an integral first-team star despite a frustrating inception of his Leicester City career. He might be handed a start down the right flank on Saturday afternoon.
Andy King (CM)
The Welshman has progressed through the academy ranks of Leicester and is currently enjoying his 11th successive campaign with the Foxes. He, however, has lost a regular slot in the past few campaigns but is expected to lead his side in this FA Cup outing.
Adrien Silva (CM)
The Portuguese international’s move from Sporting CP got no approval on the summer transfer deadline but he finally made his debut against Huddersfield Town on new year’s eve when the transfer window reopened in January. Silva might now earn his first start for his new side when the Foxes travel to Highbury.
Ahmed Musa (LM)
Musa has slipped down the pecking order despite a promising inception last season and has only made one League Cup appearance this term. He, however, might be handed a rare start against the League One minnows.
Leonardo Ulloa (ST)
Ulloa, a club-record signing during their Premier League return back in 2014, lost his regular status following the 2014-15 season and is now keen on making a move in order to play more often elsewhere. But he might have another rare outing prior to his transfer and is expected to lead the line against their Saturday opponents.
Kelechi Iheanacho (ST)
The highly talented Nigerian youngster has failed to hit the expectations since completing a big money transfer from Manchester City but should get another chance to impress the gaffer and stake a claim to be in first-team contention once more.