It is a historic day for Leicester City as the club will host a Champions League game for the first time in their history. The Foxes will be keen to build on a fantastic Match day 1 triumph over Club Brugge but former Champions League winners Porto won’t be a walk in the park for Claudio Ranieri’s boys. Porto had to settle for a 1-1 draw with 10-men Copenhagen in their first group stage game and will be looking to bounce back to winning ways against the English champions.
The Foxes are on the back of a heavy 4-1 defeat against mighty Manchester United from Saturday and will be looking to get back to winning ways. On the other hand, Porto are a pro in the Premier club competition of Europe and can cause problems to the Foxes despite playing away from home. The Leicester City fans will be highly excited about this historic game and Ranieri will be looking to put smiles on their faces.
Team news
Leicester City
German international Ron-Robert Zieler could continue to deputise for Kasper Schmeichel, although the Dane is back in contention after recovering sooner than expected from a groin injury. Matty James and Nampalys Mendy are also still unavailable.
Porto
There are no fresh injury concerns for the Dragons boss Nuno Espírito Santo.
Predicted line-ups and tactical setups
Leicester City
The Foxes are likely to stick to their favoured 4-4-2 formation. Zieler is likely to start under the bar behind the back four of Simpson, Huth, Morgan and Fuchs. Drinkwater and Amartey will be the central midfield pair with Riyad Mahrez and Marc Albrighton on the flanks. Club record signing Islam Slimani is likely to start alongside Jamie Vardy in a two-pronged attack.
Starting XI: Zieler; Simpson, Huth, Morgan, Fuchs; Mahrez, Drinkwater, Amartey, Albrighton; Vardy, Slimani
FC Porto
Porto boss Nuno Espírito Santo is likely to field his side in a 4-4-2 formation. Iker Casillas will start between the sticks behind the back four of Layún, Marcano, Felipe and Alex Telles. Hector Herrera and Danilo will be the central-midfield pair with Oliver Torres and Otavio operating on the flanks. We expect young striker Andre Silva to start up front alongside Adrian Lopez.
Starting XI: Casillas; Layún, Marcano, Felipe, Alex Telles; Danilo, Óliver Torres, Herrera, Otávio; André Silva, Adrián López
Key players
Leicester City
Leicester City’s club record signing Islam Slimani knows Porto inside out from his time at rivals Sporting. The Algerian has scored five goals in his last three games against Porto. He will be one to look forward to when Leicester City take on the Dragons.
Porto
Hector Herrera is the lynchpin in Porto midfield. The 26-year-old Mexican international is arguably one of the most underrated box to box midfielders in the world. Herrera will be looking to dominate the midfield area with Danilo alongside him.
Betting odds
Leicester City win @1.30
Draw @2.30
Porto win @2.50
