Napoli vs Leicester: Expected starting XI for vital UEL clash
Leicester City face Napoli in the final match of the Europa League. The fixture will determine progression or failure. This is Foxes of Leicester’s expected starting XI.
The King Power side sit top of Group C with one fixture left to play. However, their lead over the bottom placed side – Legia Warsaw – is only two points. Though ahead, a loss could be catastrophic if other results are not conducive.
With this match effectively determining whether or not the Foxes will be able to progress in the Europa League or fall short of qualification, the task for Brendan Rodgers is simple. The Northern Irishman must secure points with the team he puts out.
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Leicester City injury news
The East Midlands outfit still have quite a few absences, though one may be in contention for the Napoli fixture. Rodgers will have the same team available to him as with the Aston Villa match, and may get Youri Tielemans make in the squad.
According to LeicestershireLive, the injury update is as follows: James Justin remains some way from full fitness after a minor setback in his recovery, Wesley Fofana is still a little while away, Ricardo Pereira is suffering from a reoccurrence of his hamstring issue, and Kasper Schmeichel suffered a hand injury against the Villans.
Schmeichel may be able to play through a minor hand injury, though we have not yet been informed of the full extent of damage done by Jacob Ramsey when he fouled the Leicester captain. This may however be a time to give Wales’ number one Danny Ward a chance to perform.
With this in mind, here is FoL’s expected starting XI to face Napoli in the most important fixture of the 21/22 season thus far.
Expected XI
Rodgers will likely revert to some form of formation which has three centre-backs and two wing-backs. This would provide the defensive solidity – hopefully – to launch counterattacks and weather the storm against a top Champions League quality side. A 3-4-3 is the most likely scenario I believe.
Therefore, I expect Schmeichel to still start between the posts, with a backline consisting of: Caglar Soyuncu, Jonny Evans, Daniel Amartey, Timothy Castagne, and Ryan Bertrand. This would provide a mix of strong defenders and – supposedly – aerially sound players.
A midfield would possibly consist of James Maddison and Wilfred Ndidi. In front of them would be a front three of Harvey Barnes, Jamie Vardy, and Ademola Lookman or Ayoze Perez.
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The alternate possibility is a 3-4-1-2; in this incarnation, Ndidi is supported by Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall with Madders ahead of them. Kelechi Iheanacho would also make his way into the side alongside Patson Daka or Vardy. Which starting XI do you expect to face the Italian side? Let Foxes of Leicester know on our social media channels.