How Leicester City should line-up against Norwich City

Leicester City travel to the beautiful city of Norwich for their next Premier League fixture. After the hammering, this is how the Foxes should line-up.

Brendan Rodgers’ Leicester side were hammered by West Ham United 4-1 away from home. The defeat stunk of disorganisation, tactical errors, and a lack of leadership in defence. Yet also, Michel Antonio was in some of the best form of his life.

So, instead of dwelling too much more on that result, let us use stats and facts to decide how the travelling side should line-up against a struggling Norwich City.

Leicester City v Norwich City: A comparison

Using Understat, we can analyse the expected goals (xG) and xG Against (xGA) of each team and the players in question. This tells us who our most dangerous players are.

Meanwhile, we can also use expected assists (xA) to identify who our most creative players are. Obviously, the most creative and dangerous should form the backbone of the side.

The Foxes have constructed a total of 1.29 in xG and conceded 3.61 in xGA. We have only created enough to score one goal (luckily scored two thanks to Jamie Vardy’s brilliance) and defended poorly to concede at least three.

The Canaries by contrast are in the exact same situation. An xG of 1.36 and xGA of 4.23. Neither side have created enough or defended well enough. Disappointing for both sets of supporters.

However, individual players have been exciting. Kelechi Iheanacho and Jamie Vardy have accumulated 0.47 and 0.46 in xG per 90 respectively. Nacho has been more deadly.

Additionally, Vardy has 0.19 in xA per 90 making him our joint second most creative talent: behind Ayoze Perez and alongside James Maddison.

Meanwhile, for Norwich, Ben Gibson and Teemu Pukki have collected the highest xG. Gibson is a major threat from set pieces and on another day would have scored.

Leicester’s ideal line-up

Well, Leicester City will need to be strong from set pieces (a historical low-point) and have enough pace and penetration to dominate the match and progress around a compact low-block.

We do have injury news. From BBC Sport Leicester, we know that Jannik Vestergaard remains out, though Ryan Bertrand returns after recovering from a relatively mild case of Covid-19. There are no further updates.

Therefore, we need to go with a 4-2-2-2: a high pressing formation which has been used at Southampton though not to the best effect. Plus, we have two Southampton players so it only makes sense.

A back four of Ryan Bertrand, Caglar Soyuncu, Daniel Amartey, and Ricardo Pereira. I’d prefer Jannik Vestergaard to deal with set pieces, hopefully when he becomes available we can slot him in instead of Amartey.

Timothy Castagne and Luke Thomas would be good calls over Bertrand, as the energy and forward progression they bring would be essential. I chose Bertrand for defensive solidity.

A midfield four of Boubakary Soumare, Youri Tielemans, Harvey Barnes, and James Maddison. Maddison would play off the right wing in this formation.

Dennis Praet would also be a good call over Barnes, as he would provide the same benefit as Maddison but could play off from the left wing instead.

A front two of Kelechi Iheanacho and Jamie Vardy provides the goal threat from different angles and positions. It is also one of the most dangerous partnerships in the league. So, what do you think? Let us know on social media,