Following only their second defeat of the season last week, Leicester City will want to make amends against Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium on Saturday 11th November. Last Word on Football brings you the predicted lineup for the Midlands
We'll be in blue at Boro #MIDLEI pic.twitter.com/bey6JiWFag
— Leicester City (@LCFC) November 8, 2023
Manager Enzo Maresca has made very few changes over the past weeks, displaying a level of trust in the core members of the squad. Certain injuries to key players have caused a few forced personnel changes but certain players within the squad now seem like they have secured their place in the starting lineup if fit.
The Italian manager has adopted an adaptable formation which enables the right back to switch into a midfield role, allowing more of an offensive threat when the team are in possession. When defending, the right back moves back into this normal position. Portuguese Ricardo Pereira has adapted to this role extremely well.
An extremely disappointing result against Leeds United will have shaken the undoubted confidence of the players. For the first time this season, the Foxes were outplayed and struggled against the pace of their Yorkshire opponents. Although the home team showed signs of promise and had some good chances, the visitors to the King Power stadium deserved their three points.
The Midlands club currently sit at the top of the table with 39 points, having only dropped six points all season. Their recent loss was their first in ten league outings. There is still a significant 11-point gap over third place Leeds United. They will be looking to bounce back and maintain their cushion
Opponents Middlesbrough are one of the form teams in the division having secured 10 points from their last five fixtures. Having made an extremely slow and disappointing start to the season, they have recovered extremely well and are now showing signs of the potential they possess and will be hoping to push into the playoff positions.
Midfielder Wilfred Ndidi remains unavailable with a muscle issue but is hoping to be back after the international break. Winger Yunus Akgun also remains unavailable for selection. Dennis Praet is also now back in training and should also be back after the international break.
In more positive news, striker Tom Cannon has been in training all week and is available for selection. Maresca suggested he may make an appearance but is not yet fit for the whole 90 minutes.
GK: Mads Hermansen
RB: Ricardo Pereira
CB: Jannik Vestergaard
CB: Wout Faes
LB: James Justin
CDM: Harry Winks
LM: Kiernan Dewsbury Hall
RM: Cesare Casadei
LW: Kasey McAteer
RW: Abdul Fatawu
ST: Kelechi Iheanacho
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