Preview: Fulham Vs Leicester City

Before Leicester City beat Watford by a comfortable 2-0 on Saturday, they had won just once in five games – or that’s how Twitter would have put it for you.

But now, Leicester are unbeaten in five – or that’s how their official Twitter account has put it this morning. Regardless of how the numbers are presented and what they represent, the fact remains that the Foxes have won two of their last seven Premier League games. They’ve lost two and drawn the remaining three.

The current state  – putting things into perspective – isn’t too bad by Leicester’s standards, because their overall season would still suggest that where they are is where they should be. They are ninth in the league with 21 points and in the quarter-final of the Carabao Cup. About a decade ago, the supporters would have sliced a few heads to be there.

However, with what Leicester have at their disposal these days conflated with what the fans now deem acceptable, 21 is just unacceptable. Apparently.

So Claude Puel’s job is to at least have his side add three to that total later tonight against Fulham. They win here and they could possibly go sixth in the table if AFC Bournemouth (face Liverpool), Everton (face Newcastle United) and Manchester United’s (face Arsenal) result go in their favours.  That would be acceptable.

Claudio Ranieri, though, stands in the way of his own darlings.

Main Man

With Jamie Vardy very likely to miss the game, there’s only one man you can look up to to inspire Leicester: James Maddison. The 22-year old scored a possible goal of the season contender against Watford last weekend to put the sending off a week before behind him. Now full of confidence again, you’d trust that he can bring home the bacon in what could be an end-to-end affair.

Ryan O’Donovan, who we talked to as part of our Opponent Watch, made special mention of the sizzling no.10 as well. He said:

"“James Maddison has the ability to trouble Fulham’s midfield and run the game, while the side are still getting on board with Ranieri’s tactics.”"

Quotes

"“We cannot forget what he brought to the club. We will play a tough game, not just because he is the manager but Fulham played very well against Chelsea and Southampton,” Claude Puel said of Claudio Ranieri.“We need to be aware and be careful of this team because they play very well. It will be a good feeling for Claudio and the quality of his team at this moment.”"

Possible XI

Schmeichel; Pereira, Evans, Soyuncu, Chilwell; Albrighton, Mendy, Ndidi, Gray, Maddison; Iheanacho.