Enzo Maresca has now been sent a warning about how Leicester City can shut down Leeds United in Friday night’s mouth-watering clash.
Leicester City travel to Leeds United on Friday night looking to extend their lead at the top of the Championship to 12 points.
Enzo Maresca’s side registered 24 shots on goal last time out and were disappointing in their 2-1 defeat to Middlesbrough as they failed to make their dominance count.
Leicester will have to be much-improved for their trip to Elland Road as the hosts are in a sensational run of form that has seen them pick up eight victories on the spin, keeping clean sheets in seven of those.
Daniel Farke boasts an attacking quartet that can cause Leicester problems as the likes of Crysencio Summerville, Wilfried Gnonto and Georginio Rutter, who have scored 29 goals between them, will be out for Foxes’ blood.
However, journalist Adrian Clarke believes the best way of shutting down the Whites is by stopping the supply into their forward line and pressing them high up the pitch.
Leicester City have to press Leeds United high
Speaking on the What the EFL podcast, Clarke said: “If Leicester allow Leeds’ front four or front three to really get at them, Summerville, Gnonto and Rutter, then that’s going to be tough for them to contain.
“So what they’ve got to do is deny them quality service and only way to deny Leeds front three or four quality service is to go for it on the press. Really get after them and force mistakes higher up the pitch. Force them to kick it long or rush passes and that’s going to make for great viewing.”
While Leicester can ill-afford to sit back against such an attacking team, pressing them high up the pitch could be where they have the most joy.
Patson Daka could be key
Maresca’s biggest dilemma in the striker position. He has four strikers to pick from who can all bring something different, but the best man for the job on Friday night is Patson Daka.
The Zambian is a pressing machine, whose willingness to chase down the defence and win possession back is key for Leicester in this match.
Daka averages the most balls recovered per game (1.5) of all four strikers while he is a nuisance to play against as he never stops running.
That isn’t to mention how lethal he is in front of goal, boasting a goal conversion of 28% having scored seven goals in the 11 Championship games he’s featured this season.
He can set the tone for Leicester’s press while offering incredible goal threat in what promises to be a pulsating contest from start to finish.