Leicester v Sheffield Utd: Foxes taking a blade to the Blades

Leicester City’s how to win

For Leicester then, there is an expectation that – even with substandard home form – they should be able to beat a team balancing on the edge of a relegation cliff. However, they cannot take this for granted. Another lethargic performance, coupled with a new manager/caretaker bounce could be very detrimental to top four aspirations.

There are three elements to the game Brendan Rodgers must focus on to ensure a victory at home. These are pace, penetration, and possession-retention.

Whether on the attack, or passing around our own half, the players must be quick. Quick in moving the ball around the pitch, quick in clever movements into space, and quick in defence. Sheffield is a slow team, so this must be exploited.

Penetration is needed to break through what will be a relatively solid and compact defensive line. They will be vulnerable on the turnover, but from general open play, the Foxes need to create and run into space, use dummy runs behind the lines, and rush around the defensive on the wings. The combination of late midfield penetration, and the rushing wing backs, should provide plenty of opportunities in the Blades’ half.

Both pace and penetration are the key talents of Dennis Praet, so expect him to appear at some point in the match if the Foxes are not winning.

In terms of possession, the minute after conceding possession – be that in Sheffield United’s half, or for a corner – is the moment Leicester will be most vulnerable. Direct and long passing is the primary way Sheffield will look to play, and this is most effective on the turnover. Keeping the ball should be a priority, and preventing corners should be equally crucial.

An expected line-up is: Schmeichel, Timothy Castagne, Caglar Soyuncu, Wesley Fofana, Ricardo Pereira, Wilfred Ndidi, Youri Tielemans, Sidnei Tavares, Ayoze Perez, Kelechi Iheanacho, and Jamie Vardy.

A narrow 4-4-2 with both a defensive midfielder and an attacking midfielder on either side of a midfield pivot. The pivot will likely be made up of Tielemans and Tavares.

I do not think this would be the best option. A preferred line-up which would deliver on the three elements I have stressed for victory is: Schemichel, Castagne, Soyuncu, Fofana, Ricky P, Hamza Choudhury, Tielemans, Tavares, Khanya Leshabela (the only pacey attacking player available for left wing), Ayoze Perez, and Kelechi Iheanacho.

Iheanacho is ‘undroppable’ at the moment. He is scoring every time he starts, and performing very well while on the pitch. Jamie Vardy may be dangerous, but something is not clicking at the moment for him, so expect to see him partnered with ‘Nacho! Up the Foxes!