Changes to Leicester City XI expected for Brighton fixture

Harvey Barnes will surely be deployed in the wide-left position, if not for his form but purely through lack of attacking options on that side. However oppositions now understand that the No. 7 is the Foxes’ only quick outlet going forward, so he needs support from his striker and midfielders to help him get in behind by drawing defenders away from him.

Too many games have passed Jamie Vardy by so far this season, with the forward still waiting to get off the goalscoring mark, meaning Patson Daka could be deployed in that lone striker role and given a chance to show that he can be the natural heir to Vardy’s position. Another option could be Kelechi Iheanacho, but Rodgers very seldom deploys the Nigerian up front on his own, despite his hold up play improving massively in recent years.

James Maddison should be fit to feature from the start, having been a doubt for the Manchester United match through injury. 180 minutes in three days could be a stretch on his return, so it won’t be surprising to see him withdrawn in the second half.

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall will continue to lead the press, alongside Youri Tielemans whose short-term future at the club appears to be resolved. The former will be hoping his energy levels can be maintained from Thursday, particularly as he might be expected to do a lot of chasing given Brighton’s slow and deliberate build up play.

Predicted XI: (4-1-4-1) Ward, Castagne, Ndidi, Evans, Justin, Soumare, Maddison, Tielemans, Dewsbury-Hall, Barnes, Daka.