Leicester City has a massive game against Leeds United on Tuesday night. The past couple of games have all been labeled massive for the Foxes. That’s how the season unwinds towards the end when you’re in a relegation battle. However, Leeds is in the same exact boat as we are. We currently sit 17th in the Premier League with 28 points while Leeds sits 16th with 29 points. A win for either side would be a monumental push in the fight for survival. So this is a massive game for Dean Smith and his side.
The East Midlands side has looked rejuvenated since the appointment of Smith. They lost their first game 3-1 against Manchester City. However, Leicester had a higher XG compared to City. So hope was given in that game. Then when placed against Wolverhampton Wanderers FC, the side was victorious, winning the game 2-1.
Both games had two completely different formations. Against City, Smith went into the game with a 3-4-2-1 formation. Against Wolves, he went with a 4-2-3-1 formation. So what formation should we expect to see against Leeds? Also, what players should we expect to see in the starting eleven? Here is my predicted starting XI vs Leeds United.
We first have to take into consideration the poor form Leeds is currently on right now. They’re letting goals into the back of the net like there is no keeper in the net. They have allowed 18 goals in the month of April! Leicester must be ready to attack this game. Although defense is always important, that can’t be the focus of our formation or tactics. Our defense has looked strong under Smith. We must have faith in them and focus on an attacking formation.
I believe we get that in a 4-1-4-1 formation. An attacking formation gives us the greatest strengths for our positions. I was debating going with the 4-2-3-1 that worked against the Wolves. However, there are two reasons I don’t want to go with that for the rest of the season. Firstly, I don’t want to see Boubakary Soumaré as a defensive midfielder. He looks brilliant as a central midfielder, so I want to build around that. Secondly, although I liked the idea of Kelechi Iheanacho as an attacking midfielder, I don’t believe we have the depth for that at striker. James Vardy has been underwhelming this season. We need to have one of Patson Daka or Iheanacho on the bench so we can have a substitution that helps us.
As our sole striker up top, I’m going with Iheanacho. Outside of the Aston Villa game, he has been so reliable for us this season. He has scored five goals and assisted on four. The stats give me the distinction between him and Daka. I believe Iheanacho is more reliable in front of the goal and is far better at link-up play. Bringing Daka on as a substitution would be perfect for a game against Leeds. Their defensive line is weak with no depth. When their legs are tired, bring on Daka with his pace.
Our two wingers are going to be the best players for Leicester this season. Give me the returning Harvey Barnes on the left and the special James Maddison on the right. Barnes has a knack for scoring against Leeds. He has scored in six straight appearances against them. With a game as massive as this, I trust Barnes to bag his seventh straight. Maddison on the other hand can score or assist whenever he feels like it. He has shown the ability to play out wide and I believe he capitalizes on it come Tuesday night.
With two central midfielders and a defensive midfielder, I’ve decided to go with Youri Tielemans and Soumaré as our central midfielders while Nampalys Mendy as our defensive midfielder. Tielemans had an underwhelming performance against Wolves. People need to realize it was his first game back from a lengthy injury. I have no doubt he will be back to cooking in no time. Plus, there is no planet where Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall is a better option than Tielemans.
As for Soumaré, we saw how awesome he was against the Wolves when he got to play in his true position. I expect him to keep riding his form into this game. Then we rely on our best defensive midfielder this season to protect the middle of the field. Not only has he been better at covering the pitch this season compared to Ndidi, but he has also been a FAR better passer. With us needing to attack at will vs Leeds, Mendy needs to start.
Our defense is the same as it was vs Wolves. I really wanted to select Harry Souttar since he’s been great this season. Sadly for him, Çağlar Söyüncü and Wout Faes have also been playing great. Söyüncü has proven why he should have been playing this whole season. It will be a true shame if he leaves for Atletico Madrid on a free contract. Faes also is great at moving the ball up the pitch. I believe that will benefit us for some counterattacks against a weak defensive Leeds side. Victor Kristiansen and Timothy Castagne will be our wide backs this game.
I’ve given Castagne a lot of garbage this season but he showed up big-time vs Wolves. And we already know how much I love the pitbull; Kristiansen. Daniel Iversen should 100% be in goal this game. No need to randomly switch back to Danny Ward.
It is a big-time game against Leeds on Tuesday. Let’s see what starting XI Smith decides to roll with. Come on Foxes!