Premier League football was at its busiest period during the festive season and the clubs will now have to turn their attention to the FA Cup competition. Leicester City, the 2015-16 league winners, have revived this season under new boss Claude Puel, despite a dismal inception.
The Frenchman will eye a trophy triumph this term after failing to grab the League Cup trophy narrowly during his managerial stint with Southampton last season, despite reaching the final. They were humbled by Manchester United at Wembley but Puel has shown his ability to achieve greater glory with the Foxes.
They will travel to Highbury Stadium on Saturday afternoon to encounter League One outfit Fleetwood Town in the 3rd Round tie of the Emirates FA Cup. It will be an uphill task for the Cod Army to proceed further in the competition.
However, the 12th-placed League One side are hopeful of causing a massive upset considering the unpredictability of this esteemed tournament. This outing, meanwhile, is significant for Leicester star Jamie Vardy, who progressed through the lower leagues of English football and eventually completed a transfer from Fleetwood Town, a then non-league outfit, back in 2012.
Leicester have a few defensive absentees due to injury concerns. Skipper Wes Morgan is set to miss the tie following a hamstring strain, whereas both Robert Huth and Danny Simpson are yet to return from their injuries. Youngster Ben Chilwell will return following his illness but Jamie Vardy’s romantic return to Highbury might not happen due to the player’s groin strain suffered against Liverpool. He will go through a late fitness test ahead of the contest.
Puel has experimented with the formations so far and has mostly fielded his side in a 4-4-1-1 setup. However, he has also opted for a 4-2-3-1 as well as a 4-4-2 lineup at times and the latter against Huddersfield earned his side a thumping 3-0 win on the new year’s eve. The gaffer is expected to retain the same and rotate his side against the minnows ahead of their crucial London trip to encounter Chelsea.
Ben Hamer (GK)
The Englishman has been second-fiddle to Kasper Schmeichel all season but appeared in a couple of League Cup outings and has been preferred ahead of Eldin Jakupovic. He should be recalled between the sticks on Saturday afternoon.
Daniel Amartey (RB)
The versatile Ghanaian international should continue in a makeshift right-back role in place of the injured Danny Simpson and is expected to retain his place in the starting XI.
Aleksandar Dragovic (CB)
The Austrian, on loan from Bayer Leverkusen, has struggled to achieve game-time since his summer switch but the injury to skipper Wes Morgan could now hand him a run of fixtures to impress in the heart of the Leicester defence.
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