Preview: Leicester City vs Tottenham Hotspur – Can the Foxes upset Spurs?
Despite encouraging signs under new manager Claude Puel, his Leicester City side are without a win in their last three. Next up is Mauricio Pochettino’s Tottenham Hotspur.
Leicester City
There is a sense of optimism around the King Power Stadium under the Frenchman, although the Foxes have not won since their 2-0 win over Everton last month.
However, Puel has only suffered one loss in his four games in charge, the 2-0 defeat to league leaders Manchester City.
Although they have lacked a clinical nature having mustered two away draws to Stoke City and West Ham United despite leading in both.
Leicester man watch
Wilfried Ndidi will need to be at the top of his game in order to stop Spurs’ plethora of midfielders putting Leicester to the sword.
Ndidi leads all Premier League players this season in completed tackles (31), and is ranked fifteenth in aerial battles won.
Defensively, he could hold the key to whether Leicester can frustrate their opposition on Tuesday, which will be vital in picking up any points from the game.
Related Story: Claude Puel: Leicester City's Shinji Okazaki will get his chance
Quotes
"Leicester’s key man spoke to LCFCTV before the game, and said: “I have never looked too much at the opposition.”Ndidi went on to say: “We know they are a good team so it will be very difficult.“That makes it difficult, a team who has just won once in four games will be difficult because they will want to win so we should expect that and do more to get three points.”"
Team news
Puel confirmed that there are no new injuries for his side, only Robert Huth and Matty James remain out of contention.
Possible XI
Schmeichel; Simpson, Morgan, Maguire, Fuchs; Ndidi, Iborra; Mahrez, Albrighton, Gray; Vardy.
Tottenham Hotspur
Following Saturday’s draw at home to West Brom, Spurs have slipped out of the top four and conceded a Champions League spot to bitter rivals Arsenal.
Before a vital 2-1 win at Dortmund in the Champions League, Spurs lost 2-0 in the North London derby but have found success away from home this season, unfortunately for Leicester.
Spurs have gained 20 points from their 10 away games this season, a streak which has ssen them victorious against Everton, Huddersfield and West Ham.
Tottenham man watch
Spurs’ talisman Harry Kane could be the deciding factor. Leicester will set up to frustrate their opposition, and that starts with Harry Maguire and Wes Morgan not allowing the Englishman any space.
Kane is in good form, with two goals in his last two games but failed to hit the back of the net in the previous three fixtures. He has scored more goals against Leicester City than no other club.
While six of Kane’s nine Premier League goals have come away from home this season, the Foxes will also have to keep tabs on star man Christian Eriksen. The Dane has been directly involved in five of Tottenham’s 21 Premier League goals.
Team news
Harry Winks may miss Tuesday’s fixture through illness and will be assessed before the fixture, while Toby Alderweireld and Victor Wanyama continue their rehabilitation from injuries and will be unable to feature.
Pochettino has confirmed that Erik Lamela could return after his year-long injury.
Possible XI
Lloris; Sanchez, Dier, Vertonghen; Aurier, Sissoko, Dembele, Rose; Alli, Eriksen; Kane.
Kane has scored 19 in all comps for club and nation #lcfc
— Foxes of Leicester (@FoxesofLCFC) November 27, 2017
CP: “We know Harry [Kane] can score at any time. He can even score without chances! He can shoot from any position and make a difference. The last game it was the same. He finds a solution”
Past meetings
Leicester will be looking to overturn their recent form against Spurs, having won just once in the two sides’ last seven meetings.
An improved performance from last time’s 6-1 defeat at the King Power will be the target. Kane scored four times and Son Heung-Min in last season’s dead rubber penultimate Premier League game.