Leicester City vs Southampton: these Foxes MUST start the match
Leicester City host the Saints in what could be a critical match in the Championship promotion race. The Foxes will need a strong and experienced team to manage the game to the finish line.
The King Power side must not sit back, must not falter, and must secure the points. This is the match which could decide the fate of Leicester City FC. Enzo Maresca must start these three Foxes should he want to see a mentality, an experience, and see those points we desperately need to ease the pressure just that little bit.
Jamie Vardy
The legend. From rags to riches, Jamie Vardy is the story of Leicester and its biggest banner man. As such, it is only fitting that even while not in the best form of his career, Vardy must start this game. The striker brings hype, demands better from his team, and will passionately run around to help the team retain and progress possession. If the King Power club want to create chances and have someone who shows up at big occasions, they already have him.
Marc Albrighton
Another remnant of the title winning side. A goal scorer in the Champions League. Marc Albrighton is our James Milner: put him anywhere, give the man a job, and the English winger will do what he needs to do - passionately. In this case, I want to see crosses into the box, beyond the defence, giving Vardy and I would say Abdul Fatawu on the other side. Another benefit of the veteran is that Albrighton is defensively aware, so offers a versatility in the side depending on how the match progresses.
Conor Coady
Leadership, determination, and organisation. Conor Coady is an experienced, former England international, who has played in relegation scraps, and the like. That winning mentality is critical for such an important battle as this, and against Southampton the player has faced many times before. Plus, we barely lose with Coady in the side.
Three experienced players, all who have performed at much higher levels and all against the Saints. Leicester City need that if they are to come away with the three points, and put tonnes of pressure on Ipswich Town and Leeds United.
Maresca’s men has the technical quality and prowess of players such as Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Harry Winks, so adding to that the game knowledge and ability to manage it from Coady and Vardy would go a long way to helping the Foxes achieve their primary objective: create chances. If Leicester can create enough chances, and defend well enough, then they will beat their former Premier League rivals.
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