Leicester City and Liverpool face off at the King Power Stadium in a game that could have a huge impact on the top four picture.

Third place Leicester will be hoping to keep their noses in front of fourth place Liverpool, who only sit three points behind.

The Foxes come into the game off the back of a dramatic late victory over Brighton in the FA Cup fifth round, while Liverpool will be hoping to bounce back from a damning defeat to the league leaders, Manchester City.

Here is how we expect both sides to line up:

Leicester City

Based on the East Midlands side's last match, as well as the way that they shaped up against Liverpool in their last meeting, the Foxes may opt to line up with a back three in a bid to cope with Liverpool's attacking threat.

Leicester have been dealt a huge blow in that James Justin will face a lengthy spell on the sidelines due to rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament against Brighton. Due to the likes of Timothy Castagne and Wesley Fofana still being unavailable due to respective injuries, Brendan Rodgers could call upon Christian Fuchs to play alongside Jonny Evans and Caglar Soyuncu, while Luke Thomas could take the left wing-back slot in Justin's absence.

Jamie Vardy and Wilfred Ndidi will likely start as they continue to work their fitness up to the full 90 minutes, while Harvey Barnes, Ricardo Pereira and Kasper Schmeichel will return to the line up after being rested midweek.

Starting XI: Schmeichel, Pereira, Soyuncu, Evans, Fuchs, Thomas; Tielemans, Ndidi; Maddison, Vardy, Barnes.

Embed from Getty Images

Liverpool

After confirming that Fabinho will be unavailable due to injury, Jurgen Klopp may hand a debut to Ozan Kabak to partner Jordan Henderson in central defence.

Liverpool may decide to play a similar team that lost out to Man City as they look to find consistency after what has been a turbulent start to 2021.

Despite the loss, Curtis Jones impressed in midfield and would be expected to keep his place alongside Georginio Wijnaldum and Thiago, while the famous front three of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino are expected to start as they look to trouble the Leicester defence. Alisson should also retain his place in goal despite experiencing a tough evening in goal after two errors in quick succession gifted the victory to Man City.

Starting XI: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Henderson, Kabak, Robertson, Jones, Thiago, Wijnaldum, Salah, Firmino, Mane.

Embed from Getty Images

Prediction

While Liverpool have struggled in recent weeks, there is no denying the quality that they have in their squad, meaning that it will be a tough game for Leicester regardless of their form.

The Reds will most likely enjoy the majority of possession and plenty of the game is expected to be played in the Leicester half, meaning that the Foxes will have to be clinical when the chances come their way.

Vardy's performance could be make or break for them as they will try to utilise his pace in behind the defence in order to bring the ball out to ease pressure or to catch Liverpool off guard with counter attacks.

Due to their performances against the 'big six' this season, Brendan Rodgers has shown that he has the tactical awareness to pull of unexpected results, but Liverpool's strength in attack will be a huge threat to the home side.

Liverpool will be expected to notch a goal or two during this game as they look to return to winning ways but against a make-shift back four, Leicester will fancy themselves against Alisson who took a huge confidence knock against City.

2-2.

VAVEL Logo
About the author