AEK Athens vs Leicester City: Predicted Line-Up

After their impressive 3-0 opening win in the UEFA Europa League against FC Zorya Luhansk, Leicester City will be looking to make it two out of two as they travel to Greece to face AEK Athens.

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 25: Jamie Vardy of Leicester City celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Leicester City at Emirates Stadium on October 25, 2020 in London, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

By Luke Gurney29 October 2020 00:30 BST

Following their impressive 1-0 away victory at Arsenal in the Premier League last time out, Leicester City are back in UEFA Europa League action as they travel to Greece for the second group fixture against AEK Athens.

After their first group game win against FC Zorya Luhansk which finished 3-0 to the Foxes, Brendan Rodgers will be hoping to make it two wins out of two against a team who will arguably prove a much tougher test.

With now having two wins on the bounce and the team gathering some form and momentum they’ll be confident going into this one hoping to bring three points back to the East Midlands.

Leicester City

The Foxes will still be without long term absentees: Wilfred Ndidi (Abductor), Caglar Soyuncu (Abductor) and Ricardo Pereira (ACL). However, Jamie Vardy could be in contention to start his first Europa League match after he missed the Luhansk game with a calf injury.

After getting two assists and a goal against Luhansk, Kelechi Iheanacho was an unused substitute against Arsenal and could be in contention to start upfront against Athens.

Wesley Fofana and Jonny Evans are expected to start at the back again, whilst Christian Fuchs could start at left back after impressive performances in his last two games.

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After coming off the bench against Arsenal and assisting Vardy’s goal, Cengiz Under could be in contention to start his first game.

Predicted XI: Schmeichel; Castagne, Fofana, Evans, Fuchs; Mendy, Praet, Tielemans; Maddison, Iheanacho, Barnes.

The Opposition:

AEK Athens are looking to get their first win in the seasons Europa League after losing 3-0 away to Braga in their opening game.

They are managed by Massimo Carrera, an Italian coach who has been in charge since 2019. He has had previous experience with coaching roles at Juventus and the Italian National Side, whilst also managing Spartak Moscow before moving to Athens.

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English fans will remember the name of Athens striker Nelson Oliveira. The Portuguese striker had spells with Swansea, Nottingham Forrest, Norwich City and Reading before moving to the Greek Capital. The striker will most likely start up top and will pose one of Athens deadliest threats against the Foxes.

Predicted XI: Tsintotas; Lopes, Svarnas, Chygrynskiy, Nedelcearu, Vasilantonopoulos; Mantalos, Krsticic, Shakhov; Ansarifard, Oliveria

Prediction

Leicester will have huge confidence going into this one and a lot of the younger players in the squad will be excited at the prospect of playing a competitive match in a different country and a different kind of environment they’re used to playing in the Premier League.

Whilst Leicester will most probably be too tough for Athens to handle, don’t be too surprised if the Greek side get at least one goal.

Leicester 3-1