Middlesbrough will be a buoyant side when they make the trip to the King Power Stadium. Although Boro got beaten in their last match, there will be no shame in the manner of defeat. They were in the path of the ominous Chelsea side and to be fair did manage to stretch them all the way. The Blues escaped with 3 points but had Negredo and Boro been a bit luckier on the day, they would have had to share the spoils. Instead, Chelsea are top of the table while Aitor Karanka plots a way to add misery to strugglers Leicester City.
The reigning Champions have been extremely inconsistent this season and they again showed a glimpse of it last week with a loss against Watford and followed it up with another win in the Champions League, thus confirming a spot in the Round of 16. They have failed to get going in the League at all and are now in the 14th spot and uncomfortably near the relegation spots. They would want to start their upward ascent as soon as possible and Ranieri will be desperate for a win against Boro, that too at home.
Middlesbrough will also look to continue their recent encouraging performances and will look for at least a draw.
PREDICTED MIDDLESBROUGH XI VS LEICESTER CITY (4-3-3)
DEFENCE
Victor Valdes is slowly looking like a player fitting of the reputation that he came in with. He has been immense against Arsenal and Manchester City and was unlucky not to get a clean sheet against Chelsea. Barragan will at right-back while the centre-back pairing is expected to be unchanged with Calum Chambers and Ben Gibson lining up once again. Leicester’s attacking duo might change and Boro have to adjust accordingly. George Friend is out with a knee injury and Fabio will once again take his place at left-back.
MIDFIELD
Although Boro have used the 3-man midfield only against the big teams, they might continue with the success it has got them. In that case, Forshaw, de Roon and Clayton will once again form the midfield trio and look to dominate the centre of the park, which has been a worrying factor for the Foxes after Kante’s departure.
ATTACK
Gaston Ramirez has been shifted left in this formation while Adama Traore has taken up the right-sided role. His pace and dribbling have been used by the boss in order to make the system work. Negredo will lead the line once again.
