Leicester vs Preston: 3 Foxes who must start

With Leicester City playing their second game in four days, as they host Preston North End Wednesday night at the King Power.

It is expected that City boss Enzo Maresca will rotate some of the squad, partially down to players being unavailable. Whether the manager is looking for a tactical switch due to the quality and playing-style of the opposition is yet to be seen. The Foxes enter the game with an opportunity to not only go back to the top of the table, but to also stretch the gap between them and Preston -whom are third – to seven points. Potentially already separating themselves from the rest of the pack just 10 games into the campaign. Here are three players FoL thinks must be starting in Wednesday’s fixture.

Conor Coady of Leicester City

The 30-year-old made his Leicester City debut during the loss to Liverpool in the Carabao Cup last week, and it was an impressive one in that. So with Jannik Vestergaard out through suspension it seems somewhat of a no brainier to transfer Coady into that central centre-back role. Although Vestergaard has made a big improvement on last season, his severe immobility has caused City some defence issues at times. This isn’t to say that the ex-Toffee has copious amounts of pace himself, but, as a pure defender positionally wise, he is the better option. A case in point of his awareness being the two exceptional goal line clearances he made against Liverpool. What LCFC will also gain is the scouser’s innate leadership qualities on the field. As defensive structure and organisation will be essential in keeping a well coached side like Preston quiet.

Hamza Choudhury 

Sometimes after a player gets a new contract their play can drop off significantly. However, this doesn’t seem to be the case with Choudhury as when he has played this season he’s provided excellent ball-winning ability in the midfield as well as great defensive cover on the right hand side of the defence. Allowing Wout Faes to play his natural aggressive defensive game.

It does appear as though Ricardo Pereira has struggled to find consistent form in this new inverted full back role. Without a doubt has the ability to play there, but, currently, a lot of the time his body position is wrong when receiving the ball. His decision making has been very questionable at times. For example his pass selection has been very dubious on occasion because of an inexperience in those types of positions on the pitch.

Whereas Choudhury, although not as technically efficient, exhibits an experience level and composure on the ball in those areas which are far superior to the Portuguese full back. Whilst playing a high flying team like Preston, having the ability to break up play in the middle of the park as well as stop the opposition’s transitions will be vital to pick up the three points.

Yunus Akgun

The Galatasaray loanee was exceptional in the first half against the Reds and was a key component as to why Leicester went into the break with a 1-0 lead. His assist for McAteer’s impressive opener was elite. The Turk’s technical abilities add a completely different element to the Foxes midfield: it allows them to beat a side’s press more easily due to the 21-year-old’s ability to take the ball under pressure in difficult situations and still progress the passage of play. An attribute lacking throughout the LCFC squad as a whole.

Although seemingly initially brought in as a right-winger, it does seem due to the profiles of the players Maresca wants in the those areas – direct, attacking, one versus one threats – Akgun may be best suited to playing in the No.8 spot. With Wilfred Ndidi playing the majority of the Sunday’s win at Blackburn, rotating in Akgun would be the right choice.