The Champions of England are not in the best form in the Premier League having lost in an embarrassing fashion on their trip to the Old Trafford. However, they have started their first ever European campaign with a bang beating Club Brugge 3-0 away from home. They will welcome FC Porto in the first ever Champions League game at the King Power stadium this week and will hope to get back to winning ways after the loss against the Red Devils.
Both teams have some exciting players who will provide for some high-quality entertainment on the night and here are three crucial battles that can decide the outcome of the game.
Islam Slimani vs Felipe Monteiro
The club record purchase in the recent transfer window for Leicester City, Islam Slimani, has been impressive in the first few games he has played for the side. He has linked up well with the likes of Mahrez, Vardy, and company and has provided the manager with that bit extra in attack that can give them the edge in close games. However, he will be up against Felipe at the back for FC Porto who has been tremendous this season for the Portuguese outfit.
Slimani will thrive playing in front of the home crowd and will be charged up and Felipe needs to be at his best for to keep the Algerian away from danger and help his side take something from this game.
Riyad Mahrez vs Danilo Pereira
The PFA Player of the year for Leicester City in the title winning campaign was unplayable in their previous UCL encounter against Brugge. He scored a brace and was the pick of the action on the night and will hope to have a similar effect on the game against Porto this week.
He will be a constant nuisance on the flank for the visitors to deal with and Danilo Pereira will be responsible for keeping the winger in check. Mahrez will surely put pressure on Porto’s left-back Telles and Pereira should make sure that he is not isolated throughout the game to negate the effect of the Algerian winger. This is a battle that can easily decide the outcome of the game.
Wes Morgan vs Otavio Monteiro
The Portuguese giants have been decent in front of goal recently and won their league game 3-1 this past weekend. The likes of Adrian and Andre Silva were full of energy and creativity on the night but one Otavio was once again a standout player for the side. He scored the only goal in Porto’s European league stage campaign this season and has been a star player for the side this season.
He is a player who is hard to contain and the Leicester City captain Wes Morgan will have his hands full defending against this exciting Brazilian. He is a player who loves to have the ball at his feet and has an exceptional technique that makes him hard to defend against. Morgan has been a pillar for the Foxes for some time now but he was a bit shaky in the loss at Old Trafford and will hope to get back to form and keep the 21-year old away from harm’s reach on Tuesday.
