As Leicester City prepare to play Manchester United in a momentous clash, Foxes of Leicester asks if Brendan Rodgers’ side has any hope of victory.
The last match of the season is one of Leicester City’s most important matches for a long, long time. Winner takes all. It seems such a long time ago that everyone was thinking that this match would be a time to gloat in front of Maguire and rejoice after such an amazing season. But form reminiscent of a relegation side has placed the Foxes in a position where they have to win. Do they have a chance, though?
Manchester United were unbeaten in 19 matches in all competitions and looked imperious. However, Blue Army will have been encouraged by how poor the Red Devils were in the FA Cup Semi-final against Chelsea.
Frank Lampard set up with a back three and completely nullified Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s attack – albeit with a few changes made – whilst completely dominating the match from start to finish.
This will provide Rodgers with some much-needed optimism going into the match, on top of United’s awful performance against West Ham on Wednesday. Despite their good form, United have shown that if you go at them, you will reap the rewards. Especially with the pace of Vardy and company; Leicester and Brendan Rodgers will know this all too well.
However, the injuries Leicester City currently have makes this match even more difficult. Ricardo Pereira, Ben Chilwell, Christian Fuchs, Marc Albrighton – doubt -and James Maddison are all injured. With the suspended Caglar Soyuncu thrown into the mix, three quarters of a well established back four has been ripped apart.
Rodgers has deployed a three centre-backs in the last two games, with mixed results. The Sheffield United contest definitely disguised how bad the defence actually is. The Blades had no mobility up front, which played right into the hands of Ryan Bennett, Wes Morgan and Jonny Evans. Nevertheless, Tottenham Hotspur subsequently ripped that same defence apart. When you think about how mobile, quick and good United’s attack is, it really gives you a horrible anticipation feeling in your stomach.
Brendan Rodgers cannot go with the same side: I think he should go with a back four, a simple 4-3-3 or 4-5-1 formation that he so often uses. Forcing Bennett to go and defend out wide brings water to my eyes. If Albrighton is fit I would play him at right back, and make James Justin a right centre-back. He did play there for Luton and is quick enough to deal with any threat he faces.
Albrighton might not be fit so a Morgan and Evans duo is more likely, along with being possibly preferable to launching a youth player into the lions’ den.
Wilfred Ndidi, Youri Tielemans and Dennis Praet should play in the middle, they are hard workers with quality, as well. I would hate to see Rodgers go with Choudhury, no matter how good he is. That would be a defensive move and it is a weak mentality. Ayoze Perez should start on the right, obviously. Jamie Vardy, of course, and then you can take your pick with Harvey Barnes or Demarai Gray, both will give the same quality of performance.
The fact that this match is a must win is actually better than a ‘don’t lose’ game, especially with the lack of confidence in this Leicester team right now. Time and time again the Foxes make defensive substitutions to protect what they have rather than making their advantage count. Could you imagine how defensive the East Midlanders would set up knowing a draw would guarantee Champions League football?
To answer my original question – yes, Leicester City do have a chance. An attacking mentality in a must win game plays in their favour against a United side that are shaky under pressure. Although, it’s going to be very difficult due to the pace of Solskjaer’s inform attack added with the King Power outfit‘s injuries. You get the feeling that one setback will knock Leicester for six with their current form and confidence. Anything could happen. Let’s hope that Chelsea are losing to Wolves and there is an agreement to play for a draw!