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Preview: Leicester City Vs Watford

By Harneet Singh Sethi

WATFORD, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 26: Harry Maguire of Leicester City jumps for a header with Marvin Zeegelaar of Watford during the Premier League match between Watford and Leicester City at Vicarage Road on December 26, 2017 in Watford, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
WATFORD, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 26: Harry Maguire of Leicester City jumps for a header with Marvin Zeegelaar of Watford during the Premier League match between Watford and Leicester City at Vicarage Road on December 26, 2017 in Watford, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) /
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Following a comfortable 2-0 victory over Fleetwood Town in the FA Cup third round, Leicester City now welcome Watford at the King Power Stadium on Saturday.

The Hornets piled up a fair bit of misery on the Foxes the last time around, as a Riyad Mahrez goal was cancelled out in emphatic fashion in a smash and grab 2-1 victory at Vicarage Road. It was an utterly disastrous night for Claude Puel’s side, one that was a result of their own defensive shortcomings – not Watford’s excellence.

Since the Boxing Day, a lot seems to have improved for Leicester City, though, who have kept four clean sheets in the five games they’ve played since, including their 0-0 draw at Stamford Bridge against champions Chelsea.

The display against the Blues was arguably the best 90 minutes of football that Leicester City have played this season, and it’s just the model that Puel would want to base his side on as they look to push for a UEFA Europa League spot.

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All that the Frenchman would demand from his team, however, is a cutting edge. While Leicester played a near-perfect game against Chelsea as far as all aspects are concerned, the inability to make the most of their chances in front of goal was what cost them two points that afternoon – and all three against Watford on the Boxing Day. Leicester City won’t want their fine run to end the same way again.

Man to watch

LEICESTER, ENGLAND – JANUARY 01: Riyad Mahrez of Leicester City scores the opening goal during the Premier League match between Leicester City and Huddersfield Town at The King Power Stadium on January 1, 2018 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
LEICESTER, ENGLAND – JANUARY 01: Riyad Mahrez of Leicester City scores the opening goal during the Premier League match between Leicester City and Huddersfield Town at The King Power Stadium on January 1, 2018 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) /

Riyad Mahrez is on fire, and the Premier League is terrified. The 26-year old is showing no signs of stopping anytime soon – in fact, only getting better with every game. As the speculation regarding his future burgeons, the Algerian is seemingly unfazed, which is a frightening prospect for the opponent defenders. Expect him to put on a show.

Quotes

"“Very hard,” said Aleksandar Dragovic as he talked about the previous meeting with Watford.“They only looked to fight with us.“We must learn from this game and improve and don’t make fouls near our area so they don’t lead to set pieces. We play at home and we must make the game. We want to win in our stadium.“We must play football and not to make long balls always. We want to try to play and I think this is the most important thing on Saturday.”"

Next: Leicester City make second bid for Marseille’s Bouna Sarr

Possible XI

Schmeichel; Amartey, Dragovic, Maguire, Chilwell; Albrighton, James, Ndidi, Mahrez, Okazaki; Vardy.