Leicester City’s season is fast turning into a nightmare and after the horrendous 1-0 loss against Millwall in the FA Cup, the alarm bells have started ringing in full flow, if it hadn’t after their league blunders. The Champions have been distraught and dishevelled and it is confounding to see the holding Premier League Champions in such a state. They were never expected to reach the heights of last season and even the most optimistic fan was hopeful of a finish somewhere in the vicinity of the Top 6. But the opening day loss to Hull City derailed their campaign even before it had begun properly and the Foxes couldn’t really recover from that early shock.
While the league form has been nothing short of a disaster, in the Champions League they performed exceedingly well and navigated the group stages without any fuss. While a cynic might argue about the quality of the group they were in, credit has to be given where it is due. And by the looks of it, Ranieri and his boys perform best with the tags of underdogs attached to their name, which they certainly will be in their Round of 16 match against La Liga high-flyers, Sevilla.
Ranieri’s first and foremost priority will be saving the club from relegation but with his first team relatively fresh, he is likely to go full-strength.
PREDICTED LEICESTER CITY LINE-UP VS SEVILLA (4-4-1-1)
DEFENCE
Kasper Schmeichel will be in goal and will look to replicate his early Champions League heroics and he knows his team will be relying on him for a special display. Simpson will be at right-back and has to hold his fort against the quality Sevilla attack. The experienced but out of form duo of Wes Morgan and Robert Huth will be in goal and need to play out of their skins to be able to make a mark on proceedings. Fuchs will be at left-back.
MIDFIELD
In the central midfield, Ranieri is likely to go with his trusted Drinkwater who is likely to be partnered by January signing Ndidi. The duo has to be at their best to be able to stand up to the La Liga side. Mahrez will be on the right-flank and fans and his teammates will have high hopes from him. Albrighton is likely to be on the left flank with Leicester likely to stick to the tried and tested formula.
ATTACK
Okazaki is likely to be selected and his work rate and clever movements will come in handy. Jamie Vardy has been woeful but somehow he still looks like being a goal away from another prolific run.
