Predicted Leicester City Line-up To Face Swansea City In The Premier League
Leicester City, the 2015-16 Premier League champions, are currently going through a turmoil, being placed 18th in the league that resulted in a sack of their manager Craig Shakespeare, who replaced the iconic Claudio Ranieri midway through the previous campaign. Michael Appleton, Shakespeare’s deputy, has been appointed in an interim role and will be in charge of the Foxes against Swansea City tomorrow. Leicester need to bounce back soon in order to avoid a relegation scare and all eyes will be on Appleton, on how he motivates his boys to script a resurgence.
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Appleton commented on his players’ unhappiness regarding Shakespeare’s dismissal and described them as “cheesed off” and “a bit down in the dumps”. Yet, the show must go on and the new gaffer doesn’t have major significant absentees, barring veteran centre-back Robert Huth who is unavailable with a knee injury and midfielder Matty James who is ruled out due to his calf injury.
Manager: Michael Appleton
Formation: 4-4-2
It’s up to Appleton to arrange his formation but the Foxes have mostly played with two forwards up front this season – Jamie Vardy has been the regular starter, the other one has been either Shinji Okazaki, Islam Slimani, Kelechi Iheanacho or Leonardo Ulloa. The former Oxford United gaffer is expected to retain their usual ‘4-4-2’ formation for the time being.
Kasper Schmeichel (GK)
The Danish international has been Leicester’s first-choice custodian for years and will keep his place in their starting line-up against Swansea City at Liberty Stadium.
Danny Simpson (RB)
Simpson has struggled defensively this season. But the Englishman is expected to retain his place in the squad and start in his usual right-back slot tomorrow.
Wes Morgan (CB)
Leicester’s ‘back four’ has mostly remained unaltered this season and their skipper Wes Morgan should once again start in his central defensive role.
Harry Maguire (CB)
The former Hull City defender completed a big money move to the Foxes this summer and is now featuring regularly for them alongside Morgan in the heart of Leicester City backline. Should keep his place.
Christian Fuchs (LB)
The Austrian international missed a few outings with injury concerns and was deputised by youngster Ben Chilwell. The left-back, however, is fit again and has re-registered his place in their starting XI.
The former Sevilla man was acquired by Shakespeare this summer and despite a slow start, the Spaniard is expected to retain his place in midfield due to the departure of Danny Drinkwater and injury of Matty James.
Wilfred Ndidi (CM)
Leicester failed to replace N’Golo Kante’s masterclass in their midfield, but the 20-year-old Nigerian has settled in well and has earned a regular status since concluding a January move from Genk.
Riyad Mahrez (RM)
The Algerian is still struggling to rediscover his form from Leicester’s title-winning campaign and even lost his place to Demarai Gray. But the winger scored a late equaliser against West Brom in the previous gameweek and helped his side avoid another disappointing outcome.
Marc Albrighton (LM)
The former Aston Villa winger has been a consistent performer for the Foxes since his Bosman transfer and is preferred over others due to his set-piece skills and hard work throughout the game. He is expected to keep his place as well.
Shinji Okazaki (CF)
Leicester have several attacking options but the Japanese international has been the most influential one alongside Vardy so far this season. Although Iheanacho was preferred against West Brom and Islam Slimani left an impact from the bench, Okazaki might be handed a first-team return due to his work rate and mobility.
Jamie Vardy (ST)
Vardy has already scored 5 league goals so far and despite a couple of unimpressive outings, the Englishman should lead the line for the Foxes at Liberty Stadium.