Leicester 3-0 Palace: The advantages of the 3-4-1-2

A level of unpredictability to Leicester City’s attacking game was refreshing, once you become renowned for a style of play you have to be aware other teams understand this and defend in a particular way to neutralise it. For top teams to remain at the top, they require a certain level of innovation – it keeps your opponent on their toes, and that’s exactly what this formation did for the Foxes.

The formation also got the best out of the individuals available to Leicester City. With the side missing Ricardo Pereira and James Maddison through injury, Rodgers had to understand which approach would unlock the qualities, and I believe this unorthodox 3-4-1-2 achieved just that.

Defensively, Caglar Söyüncü and Jonny Evans benefited from the three at the back formation. Instead of their being four defenders spread across the back line, there was more space for the individuals to disperse and create space for each other. Both utilised this privilege and ensured that the wing-backs had an option directly behind them for reinforcement, whilst allowing them to hold a higher natural position.

As just mentioned, both wing-backs – Ben Chilwell and Marc Albrighton – had the license to sit in a more advanced position, essentially turning them into wide midfielders, as they sat alongside Wilfred Ndidi and Youri Tielemans. Both did well, Albrighton was able to help James Justin – who was a makeshift right centre back for most of the game, whilst Chilwell’s best assets are his offensively abilities and that’s outlined as a wing-back.

It’s worth noting that Ryan Bennett was exemplary on his debut. He replaced Chilwell at half time, as he couldn’t play through a knock, and didn’t put a foot wrong. Unsurprisingly, he slotted into a back three, given his familiarity to the formation during his time with Wolves. His passing range was also adept, he often found Tielemans and Ndidi whilst under pressure and through the Palace press. I also felt Christian Fuchs’ introduction offered more solidarity at the back, and expect that if Rodgers wants to use the three at the back again, Fuchs could be a good option as the left centre back.