Preferred Leicester City XI for Leeds United fixture

Leicester City travel to face Leeds United as they look to build up a run of results. Dean Smith has a selection headache, here is what we would do.

The gaffer will have to select between a mostly fit Premier League squad, and may wish to replicate the way the side performed against Wolverhampton Wanderers. This being said, the side were without James Maddison and Harvey Barnes, who were our guaranteed starters for most of the season.

Both players should be back for the match against the fellow relegation battlers. I personally expect them to return to the XI, and I would equally prefer if they return to the starting lineup.

Preferred Leicester City XI

I once again felt that Tete could have performed better, so I would remove him from the lineup. I expect a 4-2-3-1 but hopefully Smith opts for a 4-4-2 with a narrow diamond in midfield and two wider forwards playing upfront. The Foxes will need more potency in attack so they can clinically despatch Leeds. On top of this, they will need a pacy defensive line up to control the defensive third.

I would have Daniel Iversen in goal, with a back line of Victor Kristiansen, Wout Faes, Caglar Soyuncu, and Timothy Castagne. This would provide pace, balance, and of course it is identical to the one from our previous fixture; we should look to maintain certain players together where possible.

In midfield, I would have Papy Mendy, Youri Tielemans, Boubakary Soumare, and James Maddison; the emphasis is on possession and stability. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall is obviously a great player, but I feel the more possessive and defensive attributes of both the Belgian and Frenchman are preferable in a match against the devastating Leeds United.

Mendy has also been a better midfielder overall than Wilfred Ndidi: he offers a little bit more in terms of possession retention, and also has enough defensive acumen to prevent turnovers. This is particularly the case with two similarly minded midfielders ahead of him. The English attacking-midfielder is a no-brainer.

Up front I would play Kelechi Iheanacho and Harvey Barnes. The English forward would drift out wide on either side to help forward progression down the wings, where the Nigerian striker would continue his brilliant form from the centre of the pitch. To receive balls to foot, where Barnes can receive through balls.