The next game is a clash with Manchester City in the quarter final of the Carabao Cup. City have carved their way in to the quarters by two impressive penalty shoot outs, first against Wolves then Southampton were beaten.
Man City was also here last season, stopping Claude Puel and his Leicester team, and of course this is a big test, but we just have to see and hopefully a battle over 90 minutes will settle a good and accurate score.
Claudio Ranieri masterminded Leicester City in their battles against Man City, winning away in that fantastic 15/16 season, drawing at home, but even more impressive was the game in December 2016, when Leicester City maybe playing one of their best games under Claudio, winning 4-2 at home.
Since then all games have ended in defeat, but for those who have not buried their heads in the sand and put on sunglasses in December and just sees red when talking of Claude Puel, the quarters in the Carabao Cup last season ended in a 1-1 draw after full time.
Unfortunately Leicester lost on penalties, but hopefully Claude and his players can fix this and send this team into the Semi’s. We all know that he took Southampton all the way to the final, and finished 8th, got the sack, what a shame.
Claude Puel has no finished article in this Leicester City team, but with this talent improving for one more season, we will see this project going places. Those talking about sacking Puel, was the once that wanted Ranieri out as well. They are surely after something else and what it is who knows, not based on logical thinking and reasonable measurements.
Puel can play his strongest side, if we count out Chilwell, out with injury, but as we all know, probably the best left back cover, is playing at Leicester City. Christian Fuchs is a certainty and one to count on, a real pro’, for all players who want to be a good pro’ and be an example to follow, Fuchs is the man to look at.
Kevin De Bruyne is reported to be close to fitness, but would be surprised to see Pep risking one of his best players in this clash, but any Man City side will be strong and a very difficult opponent. We will probably see former fox, Riyad Mahrez in the line-up or on the bench.
Tcf is in favor of Claude Puel long term, he has done nothing wrong, and to see a defeat, close to a be draw, against Crystal Palace away is not something you would think about as a certain win. Tottenham at home, hopefully a draw, but without both Maguire and Vardy, Leicester City is a weaker team, and that is that, please be reasonable.
Referee,
Lee Mason is the referee, and we will be saved by VAR, so no worries
Last Meeting, 11 v. 11
Home: 19.12.17, 1-1 (3-4), Defeat, Premier League
Away: 10.02.18, 1-5, Defeat, Premier League
Best Bet,
Our prediction is a 2-0 win to Leicester
Predicted Leicester City line-up,
System: 4-4-1-1, Ward – Pereira, Maguire, Morgan, Fuchs – Ndidi, Mendy, Albrighton, Gray – Maddison – Vardy
Fun Fact,
Claudio Ranieri never lost, as Leicester City manager, against Man City, he won twice and drew once. The most impressive was the 4-2 win at King Power in December 2016, when he masterminded this win against Pep Guardiola.
In Both Camps,
Ben Thatcher, Steve Howey, Riyad Mahrez, Kelechi Iheanacho, Trevor Christie, Paul Dickov and Don Revie are a few of those with a life in both camps. Other players to have been at both clubs are David Oldfield, Wayne Clarke and Paul Cooper.
The big duel,
Riyad Mahrez v. Danny Ward, as we all know this could end in a penalty shoot out, or even penalties can be happening during the game and Mahrez could be the one shooting, we all know what Danny Ward can do with penalties.
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