Foxes of Leicester
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Match preview: Leicester City Vs AFC Bournemouth

By Harneet Singh Sethi

BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 30: Wilfred Ndidi of Leicester City and Wes Morgan of Leicester City battle for possession with Jermain Defoe of AFC Bournemouth during the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Leicester City at Vitality Stadium on September 30, 2017 in Bournemouth, England. (Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images)
BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 30: Wilfred Ndidi of Leicester City and Wes Morgan of Leicester City battle for possession with Jermain Defoe of AFC Bournemouth during the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Leicester City at Vitality Stadium on September 30, 2017 in Bournemouth, England. (Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images) /
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Leicester City will look to dismiss any concerns of a late slip-up in the Premier League as they host AFC Bournemouth.

The Foxes have been held by Swansea City and Stoke City in consecutive home games and are now under added pressure to beat Eddie Howe’s side. Arsenal and Burnley looking very likely to drop more points this week, a win for City today could have a telling impact on the campaign.

But it won’t be easy to get the three points against Bournemouth, who have recovered just as well as their opponents since the two last met in a 0-0 draw at the Vitality Stadium. The Cherries are just four points off Leicester City at 11th position and remain fully capable of serving a performance that the hosts might not be ready for, as was the case with Chelsea when they were mauled by 3-0 at the Stamford Bridge.

Therefore, the key for Leicester is to first of all get their set of players right for the game, and then try to be as efficient as they can be. The main problem with Claude Puel’s side has mostly been the inability to penetrate opposition defences despite loads of possession. We know they are very strong on the break, but when there’s no scope for that, that’s when Leicester City are found wanting.

It’s down to Claude Puel to decide what or who solves that problem best.

One to watch

LEICESTER, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 03: Adrien Silva of Leicester City is tackled by Jordan Ayew of Swansea City during the Premier League match between Leicester City and Swansea City at The King Power Stadium on February 3, 2018 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Henry Browne/Getty Images)
LEICESTER, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 03: Adrien Silva of Leicester City is tackled by Jordan Ayew of Swansea City during the Premier League match between Leicester City and Swansea City at The King Power Stadium on February 3, 2018 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Henry Browne/Getty Images) /

Adrien Silva can do what no other Leicester City midfielder can, and that’s cutting a defence into two with an inch-perfect pass that opens up all kinds of possibilities. He was missed against Stoke City as his side tried to make something out of crosses but that didn’t work.

Although Puel defended his team selection after the game, he’d have realised that he did make a mistake by picking Matty James ahead of the Portuguese. Expect Silva to play a major role today.

Quotes

"“A lot of teams come here with a strong defensive unit. We need to put them under pressure with good intensity,” said Claude Puel.“We’ve lost some important points. We had a good month in January but it was more difficult in February; we need more consistency.”"

Next: Leicester City have UEFA Champions League in their sights

Possible XI

Schmeichel; Chilwell, Morgan, Maguire, Simpson; Albrighton, Ndidi, Silva, Mahrez, Okazaki; Vardy.