Leicester City now sit just one point above the relegation zone as they next face a rejuvenated Swansea City who are level on points with them and a win for them will take the South Wales club above the Foxes, further away from the relegation zone. Although any chance of that looks highly unlikely given their recent record against Leicester. Swansea have each of their last four games against the Foxes conceding as many as 11 goals. But things haven’t gone well for them this season and there is a notion that a Swansea win will not be considered a shock anymore.
But it will be a tough game and Clement would want to carry on the good work he has done. Ranieri knows his boys need to buck up and he has the players to notch up a win.
Let us take a look at 3 key battles which will decide the outcome of the game.
FERNANDO LLORENTE VS WES MORGAN
The Spaniard has been brilliant for the Swans after a quiet start to life in England and the decision to block his move to Chelsea in the winter seems to be wise. There is every chance that he might well save them from relegation. But they will not be thinking so far ahead now. The match against the defending Champions is a crucial one and after the 2nd half display against Manchester City, it is clear that the Swans have a stomach for a fight. Morgan and Huth have to be dominant against the Spaniard and his threat in the air and propensity to score headed goals may well be negated by the tall and physical duo.
SIGURDSSON VS SIMPSON
The Icelandic international has been brilliant in recent weeks and has been scoring goals at an extremely consistent rate for the Swans. He has had a number of crucial goals and any goal against Leicester will be equally important. He has cut inside regularly and teams have made the mistake of allowing him too much space and time to shoot. Simpson has to be on his toes and has to make sure that he marks his man carefully and does not give him an inch. The Leicester defenders also have to avoid giving cheap fouls in and around the box from where Sigurdsson is ridiculously effective.
OLSSON VS MAHREZ
Riyad Mahrez has looked sub-par this season and although Kante’s absence has hurt Leicester, Mahrez’s poor form hasn’t helped them in the attacking third. The Algerian was their x-factor last season as he could change games with a neat skill or two but rarely have we seen him mustering any of those easy on the eye moves this season. He will be up against Swansea full-back Martin Olsson who has been a revelation since joining the club last month.
Olsson is a prime example of a modern day full-back but he can ill-afford to leave too much space for Mahrez who will be up for the game after having a cameo appearance against Derby in the midweek FA Cup replay.
