Leicester vs Coventry: 3 things to look out for

It’s been a shorter than usual break, or at least it feels that way, with Leicester City’s end of May relegation leading to an earlier than usual return to first team action in the Sky Bet Championship. It’s nine years since the Foxes last played at this level, and eleven since the most recent M69 derby match with Coventry.

Regardless of the reasons why or whether it should have got to this point, the reality is that Leicester City are a second-tier side in 2023, and will face many an incredibly stern test to navigate themselves back to where they feel they belong. First up for Enzo Maresca men, including his five new signings, is Sunday afternoon’s grudge match with their local rivals.

With Conor Coady the only notable absentee, there are many potential eventualities as to how the fixture might play out. Here at Foxes of Leicester, we’re outlining three things to look out for at the start of this new era.

Maresca-ball at Leicester City

Despite contending only three pre-season friendlies since relegation, City’s new boss has firmly imprinted his style and philosophy into the team. Ricardo Pereira has impressed in a hybrid role between full-back and central midfield, while Wilfred Ndidi has emerged as a surprise attacking threat in all three fixtures.

The Nigerian netted in a behind closed doors friendly against Port FC, and was intruding on opponents via the right-hand channel against Northampton Town and Liverpool. Kasey Mcateer, a Foxes youth prospect, also seemed to fit well into Maresca’s desired way of playing, so don’t be surprised to see him involved.

A Pep Guardiola disciple, the Italian manager will need time for his ideas to be truly embedded into the players to the point where their movements are on autopilot – just take Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal for an example. However, performances in pre-season have been encouraging enough to have Championship sides worried.

More big names than we’d expected

Since that win over West Ham on the final day of last season, many were expecting a mass exodus of the first-team squad, which just hasn’t arisen to anywhere near the predicted extent. There’s an argument to say that Premier League survival might have led to more players departing than have done so far this window.

Of the main starters, only Harvey Barnes and James Maddison have left for a fee, while Youri Tielemans and Caglar Soyuncu’s transfers had expired. Wout Faes, Timothy Castagne and Ricardo Pereira have all unexpectedly remained, with the attacking trio of Jamie Vardy, Kelechi Iheanacho and Patson Daka all still on the books. Maresca suggested in his Friday press conference that as many as six first team players had abandoned their initial ideas of wanting to leave the club, so expect to see a much more higher-calibre side than you’d expect at Championship level.

Threat from full-back

Due to the unexpected amount of stars staying put at the King Power, the right and left-back positions are arguably the strongest areas Maresca has it his disposal in terms of depth. James Justin, Castagne and Ricardo can all operate from either flank, while Viktor Kristiansen and Luke Thomas provide competition for each other and the rest from the left.

The three in the former of that list have been some of the most exciting full-backs in the Premier League for the last few seasons, and the step down in the level of football could see them put in some stellar performances. They can all operate elsewhere, too, with Justin able to play in a back three, and the other two capable of playing further forward and offering an attacking threat.