The Leicester team that should start against Slavia Prague in the Europa League

17 February 2021 15:30

Fresh off the back of an incredible 3-1 win over Liverpool at the weekend, high-flying Leicester City return to Europa League action on Thursday when they take on Slavia Prague.

The Foxes have a long list of players out with injury and also have a tough trip to Aston Villa to contend with on Sunday.

However, with Slavia stirring the pot with some bizarre pre-match comments - click here for the full story on that - Brendan Rodgers will likely keep rotation to a minimum. Here is Leicester's most likely starting XI ahead of Thursday's game.


1. Goalkeeper & defenders

Fuchs is in line for a rare start | Malcolm Couzens/Getty Images

Kasper Schmeichel (GK) - Kasper (and his corset) will be between the sticks on Thursday night. That much is certain.

Daniel Amartey (RB) -
Amartey's display at right-back was far from vintage against Liverpool but he did get the job done. With neither Ricardo Pereira, nor Timothy Castagne travelling, he will continue in the role.

Caglar Soyuncu (CB) -
After an injury kept him out of the early part of the season, Soyuncu has returned to the side of late and picked up where he left off last campaign. With Wes Morgan and Wesley Fofana injured, the Turkey international will remain at the heart of the Foxes' backline.

Jonny Evans (CB) -
Evans has somehow managed to avoid the Foxes' injury curse, missing just four Premier League games all season. He was not always used in the Europa League group stages, but with things getting serious, he should start on Thursday.

Christian Fuchs (LB) -
Luke Thomas has been impressing in Europe this campaign but it is likely that Rodgers will opt for a more experienced option against Slavia. Step forward 34-year-old Fuchs.


2. Midfielders

Maddison is set to experience his first taste of European knockout football | Visionhaus/Getty Images

Wilfred Ndidi (CM) - Ndidi once again showed his class in his side's win against Liverpool, breaking things up effectively and also registering an assist. If Leicester want to control things on Thursday, he will be key.

Youri Tielemans (CM) - Tielemans just does not seem to tire. The Belgian has missed just two games all season and is having a productive campaign, registering six goals and four assists.

James Maddison (AM) - With competition to get into the England squad more intense than ever, Maddison needs to continue his fine recent form for the rest of the season.


3. Forwards

Harvey Barnes has done well in the Europa League this season | Michael Regan/Getty Images

Marc Albrighton (RW) - Cengiz Under has started the majority of Leicester's Europa League games but has fallen down the pecking order dramatically of late. Ayoze Perez's absence means that Albrighton is most likely to start on the right.

Jamie Vardy (ST) - Vardy looked sharp against Liverpool following his hernia operation and has scored in each of his two Europa League appearances this season.

Harvey Barnes (LW) - No Foxes player has scored more goals from open play than Barnes this season. The forward has been particularly brilliant in Europe, managing three goals in six appearances.


Source: 90min