Thursday night sees Leicester City hosting Legia Warsaw in matchday five of the Europa League group stage as the Foxes look to make amends for their poor performance against Chelsea last week.
Both sides enter this clash in poor form with Leicester winless in their last four matches, while Legia have lost eight of their last nine games. Although the visitors are struggling in the league currently sitting in 17th place, they find themselves in a promising position in the Europa League as they sit second in Group C with six points.
Brendan Rodgers will be hoping Thursday’s clash brings a change in fortunes for a Leicester side that were completely and utterly dismantled by Chelsea on Saturday. For the first time in Rodgers’ tenure, he is facing criticism from the Blue Army after a string of lifeless performances by Leicester. The Foxes will be needing a positive result to keep their hopes of automatic qualification to the last 16 alive.
Injury News
Legia will be without their summer signing, Joel Abu Hanna; the defender picked up a knee injury on international duty for Israel in October and has yet to make a recovery. Please click below for the next page of the preview.
The Poles will also be without former LCFC winger, Bartosz Kapustka, who suffered a cruciate ligament tear while celebrating a goal in July.
As for the Foxes, Youri Tielemans remains on the sidelines with an injured calf and isn’t expected to make a return until mid-December. While Ricardo Pereira is doubtful for Thursday night’s clash with the fullback set to undergo a scan after picking a hamstring injury during training last week.
In positive news, both Wesley Fofana and James Justin are making progress on their returns from lengthy injuries. Justin looks set to get his first minutes in the U/23s while Fofana continues to make progress with his fitness and is expected to return by the end of next month, Leicester Mercury reports.
Predicted Leicester City Line-up
Leicester (3-4-1-2)
Kasper Schmeichel
Jonny Evans, Daniel Amartey, Caglar Soyuncu
Marc Albrighton, Wilfred Ndidi, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Timothy Castagne
James Maddison
Patson Daka, Kelechi Iheanacho
As has been a common feature throughout this campaign Brendan Rodgers will most likely use this encounter as a chance to rest Jamie Vardy while starting Iheanacho and Daka. Even after the poor performance against Chelsea it’s hard to see many changes made to the backline with Bertrand being the only player who might get a look-in.
Dewsbury-Hall may earn a start after a poor showing from Boubakary Soumare last time out. With Dewsbury-Hall and Ndidi occupying the holding midfield roles it could allow for Maddison to be given the chance to start and play with more freedom in the number 10 role.
Past Meetings
The reverse fixture between these two saw Legia claim an underdog win in a game that Leicester should have at the very least picked up a point after dominating the game for its majority. That contest is their solitary meeting in history.
FoL Prediction
European games are never easy no matter the quality of opposition, however with Legia Warsaw in their worst form they have been in since 1936, Leicester will be going in as favourites. Legia will most likely sit back for the majority of the match and try to hit on the counter.
Patson Daka and Kelechi Iheanacho will likely find themselves a number of chances against a struggling Warsaw defence. Even with the Foxes facing a struggling side like Legia Warsaw, it seems highly unlikely that they will be able to hold the visitors to a clean sheet. FoL predict a scoreline of Leicester 2-1 Legia Warsaw.