Foxes of Leicester
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Preview: Newcastle United Vs Leicester City

By Harneet Singh Sethi

WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 25: Marc Albrighton of Leicester City celebrates victory in the penalty shoot out during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Leicester City at Molineux on September 25, 2018 in Wolverhampton, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 25: Marc Albrighton of Leicester City celebrates victory in the penalty shoot out during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Leicester City at Molineux on September 25, 2018 in Wolverhampton, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) /
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Just when Claude Puel falling off the managerial merry-go-round with a sonorous splat felt ineludable, Leicester City have responded with two wins in two games that they were expected to win. And expectations must meet reality for the third time running, as the Foxes face a winless Newcastle United.

Contrary to the story that the Premier League table might tell, Rafael Benitez’s side haven’t been actually been poor. It’s just that they’ve had to face Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal in four of their first six fixtures, losing by 2-1 in each of them. They’ve picked two points from the other two against Cardiff City and Crystal Palace (both goalless draws).

It has been more a case of not being too bad at defending, and not too good at attacking for Newcastle. The latter is what will encourage Leicester more, especially their naughty back four.

We know that City are an embarrassment when asked to defend, but they can do Arsene Wenger proud when the opponent’s weakness up top allows them to be quickly out of the blocks, taking a passeggiata where they want to.

The Magpies’ compact defence is almost certainly going to suffocate James Maddison and company, but it’s a challenge that they are well equipped to deal with.

LEICESTER, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 22: James Maddison of Leicester City celebrates after scoring his team’s second goal during the Premier League match between Leicester City and Huddersfield Town at The King Power Stadium on September 22, 2018 in Leicester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
LEICESTER, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 22: James Maddison of Leicester City celebrates after scoring his team’s second goal during the Premier League match between Leicester City and Huddersfield Town at The King Power Stadium on September 22, 2018 in Leicester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) /

Main man

From threading a neat pass to rifling it into the top left corner to basically running the show, Maddison can do anything. The 21-year old has been immense in every win, and an inspiration in every defeat, demonstrating that his attitude matches his football. It’s not a very common these days.

With three goals – one from open play, one a penalty and the other a free-kick – and an assist in six league appearances already, he has emerged as one of the country’s best, not just Leicester’s. Even Gareth Southgate wants to see him in action now, meaning that the game against Newcastle could essentially be his England audition.

He’s not the one to let his chances pass him by, is he?

Quotes

"“My feeling is when we play in the stadium [St James’ Park], it’s a fantastic stadium with 55,000 fans behind their team, it’s a big atmosphere and it’s always tough,” Claude Puel said.“After, we know it’s a solid team. Since the beginning of the season, they didn’t concede a lot of goals, they’re strong together with good pressing and it’s difficult to play against them.“With a fantastic spirit, they win battles. I’m sure we will play a tough game against this team and against these players.”"

Next. When will injured Demarai Gray return for Leicester City, and will the team be affected?. dark

Possible XI

Schmeichel; Amartey, Evans, Maguire, Chilwell; Albrighton, Mendy, Ndidi, Maddison, Iheanacho; Vardy.