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PREVIEW: Leicester City vs Watford – 01/12/2018

Leicester City vs Watford  

Date: 01/12/2018

K/O: 15:00 

Venue: King Power Stadium

Referee: Graham Scott

Watford travel north to the King Power on Saturday looking to turn around their recent poor run of form – having not won in three games. As for the Foxes, despite some recent under-par performances, they are unbeaten in five games in all competitions and will be determined to turn their recent run of draws into three points against the Hornets.

Recent draws for Puel’s side have come against Brighton, Burnley and West Ham but the Frenchman will be somewhat elated with the performance from his side at the Amex last weekend. At 1-0 down, James Maddison received a second yellow card for simulation, yet a relentless performance from Leicester was rewarded with a second half Jamie Vardy penalty being enough for them to bring a point back to the King Power.

Watford, on the other hand, travel to Leicester after a confidence bursting defeat at the hands of Liverpool last weekend. Although Gracia’s side tested the Reds during the first half, a second-half collapse was enough to gift Liverpool a 3-0 win. With Javi Gracia signing a new four-and-a-half-year contract at the club during the week, keeping him at Vicarage Road until 2023 with the option for a further three years, Watford will be hopeful of picking up a result and returning to form.

The Spaniard arrived at Watford in January 2018 and overturned a dreadful run of form to guide them to a 14th place finish last season. He has continued where he took off and after an extraordinary start, his Watford side currently sit in ninth; one place above Saturday’s hosts.

Head to Head: The Foxes have the superior record against the Hornets with the former picking up 28 wins in comparison to Watford’s 20. The clubs have drawn 17 times yet there has not been a draw in the last six meetings; with both clubs picking up home wins last season. 

Team News

Leicester City

Despite picking up a red card at Brighton last weekend, James Maddison is available for the visit of Watford after serving his match suspension during the week against Southampton in the Carabao Cup. Daniel Amartey remains on the sidelines as well as Matty James who, despite returning to training in recent weeks, is unlikely to be match fit after a long time out.



There are a number of players in Puel’s squad who are questionable for Saturday’s fixture and late fitness tests may be required. Harry Maguire was absent for Leicester’s trip to Brighton due to a knee injury picked up before the international break.

The Englishman has been recovering but due to the recent performances of Jonny Evans and Caglar Soyuncu, who both picked up a clean sheet during the week against Southampton, one of the two will likely be chosen alongside Morgan at the back. Rachid Ghezzal, whose leg injury forced him out for the tie against Brighton, remains questionable as well as Vicente Iborra, who has recently been linked with a return to Seville in the upcoming January transfer window.

Watford

Daryl Janmaat, who has been absent from the Watford side since September, is continuing his recovery and could be set to feature in some part at the King Power. The Dutch international featured for the Hornets U23 side last week and although Saturday’s fixture may be too soon for the defender, his return is imminent.

Tom Cleverley, who missed the first three months of the season due to an ankle injury, is slowly creeping back into first team contention but similar to his teammate, Saturday’s fixture could be too soon. Apart from those mentioned, Gracia has a healthy squad to choose from.

Predicted Starting XI’s

Leicester City (4-2-3-1)

Schmeichel; Pereira, Morgan, Evans, Chilwell; Ndidi, Mendy; Albrighton, Maddison, Gray; Vardy

Watford (4-4-1)

Foster; Kiko Femenia, Cathcart, Mariappa, Masina; Hughes, Doucoure, Capoue, Pereyra; Deulofeu; Deeney 

Score Prediction: Leicester City 2 Watford 0

The Hornets are winless in November and due to their inconsistency this season, Leicester will be confident they can pick up a result in front of their home crowd. Puel’s side are on a run of five games unbeaten in all competitions and although four of these have been draws, they have shown grit and determination to pick up results recently and will be fancied to continue their unbeaten run.

Eamon Kitching

Leicester City fan still holding onto our 15/16 Premier League success.

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