How Leicester will probably line-up against Millwall

Leicester City travel to London to face off with Championship side Millwall in the EFL Cup. Here is what team you should expect the Foxes to deploy.

After another disappointing Premier League match – one marred in officiating errors – Leicester City get a little respite from poor refereeing, and a new challenge.

That challenge is going to be facing off with the physical and aggressive Millwall FC of Southeast London.

There have been plenty of good performances and impressive players throughout our opening games. From Daniel Amartey to Ademola Lookman, so let us talk the tactics and players we can expect to see midweek.

Millwall v Leicester City: A tactical contrast

Brendan Rodgers’ Foxes are known for their tactical fluidity both within and between matches. Besides particular principles, Rodgers sets out his side to counter opposition strengths.

Tactically, they have used a lot of formations in the last couple of years, each having its own time under the spotlight and providing the core from which the side wins games or grinds out results.

We have seen a 4-1-4-1, a 4-3-3, a 4-2-3-1, a 3-4-3, and even a narrow 4-4-2 with midfield diamond.

Despite such formational differences, the tactical principles remain steadfast. The priority is to dominate the flow of the game in our favour.

Often, this requires controlling where the ball is or how the opposition are able to progress the ball.

This key feature will continue against Millwall, and our ability to control how they use the ball, as well as how we progress the ball through their midfield and defence will be critical.

By contrast, Millwall have adopted a more familiar and intractable style of play. Physical and aggressive with few formational changes.

Defensively they set up in a 4-5-1, on the attack as either a 4-4-2 or a 4-4-1-1. They will be compact and hope on long balls to progress over a dominating Leicester midfield.

To win, the King Power side will have to progress the ball quickly, using the whole breadth of the pitch to prevent compact pressure effectively halting our verticality. The midfield is key to this.

The expected starting XI

I expect to see a 4-4-2 making use of more non-starters in the league. This 4-4-2 would rely on midfield progression and versatility upfront to construct chances.

I would start Danny Ward in goal. He would be protected by a backline of Luke Thomas, Filip Benkovic, Jannik Vestergaard, and Vontae Daley-Campbell.

This being said, Shane Flynn, Daniel Amartey, and Timothy Castagne may be used instead of their counterparts. I expect ‘Vest’, as he offers experience, to be accompanied by Amartey as he deserves to play.

A midfield of Hamza Choudhury/Papy Mendy – Mendy will only be eligible for these matches, but has fitness concerns – Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Ademola Lookman, and Marc Albrighton.

I suggest we might see Boubakary Soumare continue to feature as he impresses as a transitional midfielder who can win the ball and progress it if necessary.

Patson Daka and Kelechi Iheanacho start. There is no doubt in my mind: you cannot not play these two and give them plenty of chances.

What team would you like to see play midweek? Let us know on the Foxes of Leicester social media channels.