West Ham v Leicester: Preview, injuries, predicted Foxes line-up

Injuries and predicted XI

With Caglar Soyuncu out due to a previous positive test for Sars Cov 2 (the virus which causes COVID-19) in Turkey, there are no other fresh injury-related problems for the King Power side.

In fact, only positive news really. James Maddison should be returning to a degree of fitness this match, alongside Ricardo Pereira, both of which should make the first team upon their return to fitness.

Wes Morgan, Harvey Barnes, James Justin, and Cengiz Under remain unavailable or nowhere near fitness. To cover for these positions, and provide a small amount of attacking midfield depth, under 23s have been called upon, and continue to be called upon.

In previous matches, we have seen Khanya Leshabela, Sidnei Tavares, Shane Flynn, and Thanawat Suengchitthawon on the bench or pitch. As Leicester City France have noted, Suengchitthawon and the 20-year-old Tyrese Shade have been spotted in first team training.

With this in mind, lets pick a starting IX and try to guess what Brendan Rodgers will go for.

Kasper Schmeichel (GK), Jonny Evans (LCB), Wesley Fofana (CB), Daniel Amartey (RCB), Timothy Castagne (LWB), Ricardo Pereira (RWB), Wilfred Ndidi (DM), Youri Tielemans (CM), James Maddison (AM), Kelechi Iheanacho (ST), and Jamie Vardy (ST).

There will be a place on the bench for Dennis Praet, Thanawat Suengchitthawon, Tyrese Shade, Marc Albrighton, and Khanya Leshabela, as more players look to prove themselves for the Foxes.

West Ham United’s Twitter account has provided us with team news.

Two critical players to how the Hammer play are ruled out for the match on Sunday. Michel Antonio and Declan Rice are both out. To be frank, they do not need these two to win a match, though the absence of Rice does provide an opportunity to break on the counter more successfully.

A potential way for the Foxes to win will be to exploit the weakness at the base of midfield by pushing Tielemans further forward alongside either Maddison or Praet.

Whatever Brendan Rodgers chooses to do, they will need pace, penetration, and patience to break through a stubborn West Ham United, and will need to be wary of Lingard and Soucek in midfield – those two must be targeted.