Foxes of Leicester
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Preview: Watford Vs Leicester City

By Harneet Singh Sethi

LEICESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 23: Jamie Vardy of Leicester City celebrates scoring the opening goal with team mates during the Premier League match between Leicester City and Manchester United at The King Power Stadium on December 23, 2017 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
LEICESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 23: Jamie Vardy of Leicester City celebrates scoring the opening goal with team mates during the Premier League match between Leicester City and Manchester United at The King Power Stadium on December 23, 2017 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) /
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Leicester City will be looking for their first win in four games as they travel to Vicarage Road to face an out of sorts Watford.

The Boxing day encounter is one of the four games that Leicester have in the space of ten days, and maybe the easiest of the lot as well, with Liverpool (A), Huddersfield Town (H) and Fleetwood Town (A) up next. The fixture list as congested as it is, the biggest decision that Claude Puel faces is whether to go full monty against the abysmal Hornets or to save some of his players for the big one against Liverpool on Saturday.

While some might argue that the the Foxes mustn’t take any risk against Marco Silva’s hungrier-than-ever side, others would feel that even a second choice Leicester team would have enough in it to beat Watford. Of course, that paves way for a potential raid at Anfield later this week with all first-choice players fit to fire.

Whatever may Puel’s line-up be, it’s a game that Leicester City simply have to win. Watford are a shambles at the moment, especially with their main man Troy Deeney currently suspended. They’ve conceded 13 goals and managed to score just five in their last six games (picking a mere point), a further reflection of the existing problems both up front and at the back.

Leicester City are a defensive mess themselves, but they have often made up for it with the potency up front, which is exactly what is demanded in this game. Watford are low on confidence, and if Puel’s Foxes start the game with intensity and intent, it may as well be game over in the first-half. What the East Midlanders mustn’t do, however, is give too much respect or be cautious, as that’s just what Watford will look for.

Man to watch out for

Watford Vs Leicester City seems like a game that’s tailor-made for Jamie Vardy to score a goal or two. The 30-year old has got his goalscoring touch back after two strikes against the Manchester clubs last week, and against a defence asking for trouble, Vardy will fancy his chances of adding to the 50-goal tally.

Quotes

"“I think it has been fantastic work since the beginning of the season,” said Claude Puel.“It was a fantastic start to the season, he is a great manager with quality in his squad.“They play nice football and the last results are not what he wants. It will be very difficult for us to play against this team. They press like us and I expect to see a great game against Watford.”"

Next: Kelechi Iheanacho: From potential Leicester City star to Foxes misfit

Possible XI

Schmeichel; Fuchs, Maguire, Morgan, Dragovic; Iborra, Ndidi, Mahrez, Gray, Albrighton; Vardy.