A mouth-watering Championship clash awaits as Leicester City travel to promotion rivals Leeds United on Friday night.
Leicester City were beaten 2-1 by Middlesbrough last weekend while Leeds secured a 2-0 victory over Plymouth Argyle, extending their winning run to eight matches.
After suffering only their fifth defeat of the season, the Foxes’ lead over the chasing pack is now only nine points while victory at Elland Road could prove to be a season-defining moment for Enzo Maresca’s side.
A 12-point lead at this stage wouldn’t be an unassailable gap to breach for the promotion chasers, but it would be sending out a huge statement of intent in their bid to seal immediate promotion back to the Premier League.
Fortunately, ahead of such an important clash, Maresca doesn’t have much concern in the treatment room with Ben Nelson missing the contest after picking up a knock while Wilfred Ndidi isn’t expected to return until early April.
Kelechi Iheanacho, meanwhile, could be named in the match-day squad after returning from the Africa Cup of Nations last week.
Here is our predicted lineup for the clash…
Leicester City predicted XI vs Leeds United
The goalkeeper position speaks for itself at this point as Danish shot-stopper Mads Hermansen has largely impressed throughout his first season in English football.
Maresca would ideally name a back three but after Nelson picked up a knock, he is likely to go with the usual back four of Ricardo Pereira, Jannik Vestergaard, Wout Faes and James Justin.
Saying that it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the Italian move Pereira alongside Harry Winks in central midfield to nullify the threat of Georginio Rutter.
The more likely selection is Winks slotting alongside Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, who has produced a staggering 10 goals and 12 assists in the Championship this term.
As a result, he has attracted interest from several big clubs, however, his sole focus is on achieving promotion with Leicester.
Ahead of that incredible duo, Dennis Praet should continue his resurgence in the side.
Maresca claims the Belgian is getting better every game and in that central attacking role, he can cause problems by occupying pockets of space in between the Whites midfield and defence.
The electric Abdul Fatawu will start on the right and his battle against Junior Firpo will be one to keep an eye on, as will Stephy Mavididi on the left, who could face 17-year-old wonderkid Archie Gray.
Both players can win matches on their own single-handedly and will also be supplying service for the lethal Patson Daka.
His pressing from the front and willing runs in behind could be key to Leicester securing a vital three points.
Leicester (4-2-3-1): Hermansen; Pereira, Vestergaard, Faes, Justin; Winks, Dewsbury-Hall; Fatawu, Praet, Mavididi; McAteer