Leicester City wasted no time in getting back to winning ways after the unfortunate loss against Arsenal as they endured a hard-fought win against West Bromwich Albion at the Hawthorns last weekend. Both the sides got little chances at either end but the new-found resilience under Crag Shakespeare has been of tremendous help.
The Foxes sit in the 14th position of the league table sandwiched between Bournemouth and Stoke City, although they still have a game in hand. They host a struggling Watford side next and given their form has been quite positive of late, Hornets might be a routine win for the Foxes.
Leicester haven’t lost more than once to Watford in their last five league games, and the Hornets haven’t managed to keep a clean sheet against them in the last 15 games. And one look at Watford’s away form indicates that they won’t come into the game with high hopes. Walter Mazzarri’s men have collected just 12 points from 16 games. Leicester, on the other hand, have managed 30 points from 16 home games.
Possible Leicester City XI vs Watford
Defence
Kasper Schmeichel will take his position under the bar. The giant shot-stopper has been Leicester’s biggest asset in their reviving run and it will be tremendously difficult for the Foxes to hold on to him after this season. The Great Dane has conceded 38 goals in 26 outings so far.
The defensive flanks will be taken by Christian Fuchs and Danny Simpson. The full-backs have been very disciplined under Shakespeare and looked very comfortable against a diligent Albion, who are a big threat from set-pieces. And Shakespeare would keep his trust on his defenders against the likes of M’Baye Niang and Troy Deeney.
The central defensive duo will be Yohan Benalouane and Robert Huth. In the absence of the experienced Wes Morgan, the Tunisian international has held the position well, but the biggest concern with him has been his reckless tackles. In his 14 appearances, both at the Under-23 level as well as Premier league, he has collected seven yellow cards.
Midfield
The central midfield will be taken by Onyinye Ndidi and Danny Drinkwater. Leicester had struggled massively in that role in the first half of the season and under Shakespeare, it has dramatically improved.
The two wide midfielders are expected to be the regulars- Marc Albrighton and Riyad Mahrez. The Algerian star has scored in Leicester’s last two Premier League games against the Hornets and would expect a similar result this time.
Attack
The two forwards spearheading the attack would Jamie Vardy and Shinji Okazaki. Vardy has been in a fine scoring form of late and would expect to increase his goal tally in this game.
