After capitulating to Patrick Bamford’s brilliance on Sunday, Leicester City will know a positive result at Craven Cottage is imperative in the unabated pursuit of Champions League qualification.
The Foxes have excelled once again this campaign, sitting in fourth place in the Premier League – four points clear of fifth placed West Ham United – and will call on their cemented resilience to claim a first victory away to Fulham since 1983.
Whilst Leicester suffered a dispiriting home defeat to Leeds United in their last fixture, Rodgers will be adamant to dispel any feelings of acrimony and maintain a commendable challenge to compete with Europe’s elite.
Fulham, in contrast, have slumped to a 10-match winless run in the division and will hope to complete an unanticipated league double over Leicester to belatedly kickstart their relegation-threatened season.
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Team News
The ever-pragmatic Rodgers was realistic in expressing his discontent over the likelihood of Timothy Castagne and Wesley Fofana joining an extensive injury list that has hampered recent encounters for The Foxes.
However, there is optimism around the Leicester camp regarding the potential availability of Fofana, who will be assessed before the match, but it is understood that the game will come too soon for the talismanic Jamie Vardy – who is expected to be fit for Sunday’s crucial clash against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Distinguished full-back Ricardo Pereira is expected to feature once again after making a steady recovery from a cruciate ligament rupture suffered last season.
Fulham boss Scott Parker will be encouraged after bolstering the ranks with the deadline-day acquisition of Josh Maja, an exciting young forward who has joined on loan from French outfit Bordeaux.
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Predicted line-ups:
Fulham: Areola; Aina, Andersen, Adarabioyo; Tete, Reed, Anguissa, Robinson; Lofus-Cheek, Decordova-Reid, Lookman.
Leicester: Schmeichel; Pereira, Fofana, Evans, Justin; Tielemans, Mendy; Albrighton, Maddison, Barnes; Ayoze.
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Last Meeting
Fulham surpassed expectations in defeating Leicester at the King Power Stadium back in November to prevent The Foxes from going level with Tottenham at the top of the table.
Despite a late Harvey Barnes strike, Leicester were powerless as two first-half efforts finalised a 2-1 defeat which took Parker's side out of the relegation zone.
Ademola Lookman opened the scoring after half an hour, placing a precise effort home following an emphatic, surging run from Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa.
After three successive penalty misses for The Cottagers, Ivan Cavaleiro's first-half spot-kick was decisive as Rodgers tasted defeat against the London side for the first time in his managerial career.
Barnes impressed after scoring from the bench following a neat assist from Vardy, but Fulham survived a late scare as they claimed their second league win of the season.
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Ones to watch:
For Leicester, the coruscating James Maddison will take centre-stage once again with aspirations to continue his exceptional run of recent form for the midlands side.
Indeed, no Premier League player can better Maddison’s six goal contributions - four goals and two assists - across all competitions since the turn of the year and Foxes fans will be hoping the England international can continue to flourish as he refines his newfound offensive threat.
Pereira will also be one to keep a shrewd eye on as he looks to reclaim his established place in Leicester’s defence – a relentless full-back with an innate ability to excel with devastating effect both offensively and defensively.
The Portuguese international was lively during his first start back from a significant injury that ruled him out since the emergence of the Coronavirus pandemic.
Pereira played for 53 minutes in the 3-1 defeat to Leeds, as well as making his seasonal debut off the bench in the 2-0 victory over Chelsea.
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Pre-Match Thoughts:
Ahead of the anticipated encounter, Rodgers gave his thoughts regarding the lack of activity from the club following a quiet deadline day:
"I think every manager would like to be able to add to the group, it won’t be for the want of trying.
I’ll go on with the squad we have. If we’re all fit, we have a really talented squad of players that have shown they can compete consistently. This isn’t like every other January. I respect that. If we don’t get anybody in, I’ll still be happy."
Fulham manager Parker showed his delight after the late acquisition of Maja:
"I've brought Josh to the football club because of his big potential and the work we've done with Tosin, Antonee Robinson, Loftus-Cheek - all of these players have done fantasically well and I think Josh fits into the same bracket."
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How to Watch
The fixture is available to watch on BT Sport 2. Coverage starts at 17:30 ahead of a 18:00 kick off.
Alternatively, you can follow the live-text updates on the VAVEL website and the Leicester City VAVEL Twitter page.