Burnley v Leicester: getting the Foxes season back on track

Defending without Wesley Fofana

Leicester City have had a few issues defending in recent weeks. Five goals conceded in their last two matches! In the last five away matches, the King Power train has conceded only three goals, not conceding more than one in any one of those matches.

However, the recent poor performances are resultant of losing the energy and physicality of Wesley Fofana. Alongside Wilfred Ndidi, Fofana was crucial in preventing turnovers and distrusting opposition transitions. Without his forceful approach, the Foxes have had some issues recently.

Nevertheless, the Midlands outfit have nine clean sheets, with an xGA (expected goals against) of 32.19, actually conceding 30. Judged on this basis, this would put the blues eighth in the league table. Even Brighton & Hove Albion are ahead of the Foxes on this account!

This has worsened as the season has progressed, partially due to the injury to Fofana, and may only worsen if Evans is out for too long. However, the King Power side still have a very balanced defence, though it might be looking a little bare boned at the moment. Daniel Amartey and Caglar Soyuncu remain fit to play, so we have one highly physical defender and one aerial ace.

Burnley on the other hand have nine clean sheets, with an xGA of 38.40, actually conceding 34. This means they are conceding plenty of chances, though the quality of those chances tends to be diminished by the quality of the defensive low block employed by the Turf Moor side.

Nick Pope inevitably helps at preventing goals, being one of the best keepers in the league, and an England international. The same can be said for Kasper Schmeichel, though he could have done better with in the Slavia Prague match against one of their goals.

Expected back line: Schmeichel, Luke Thomas, Soyuncu, Amartey, and Timothy Castagne. I would say this is not what I think would be the best line-up at the back. I would much prefer Thomas on the bench to prevent any repeat of the incessant fouls he conceded to the play-acting Nicholas Pepe in the Arsenal match.

What I will say is that Leicester City tend to defend by creating a low (vertically) high pressing 4-4-2 block, creating two banks of compact defensive lines, allowing space for Ndidi and Youri Tielemans to provide pressure on their respective flanks. Meanwhile, the wingers come deep to apply pressure from behind advancing wingers.

This will not be as effective against Burnley, who’s direct and fast counter-attacking play will not allow the Foxes any time to form that defensive low block. Aerial supremacy will be key against Burnley’s attackers: Soyuncu and Amartey are good at this.

On to how both teams attack, then we will discuss how the Foxes can win this match.