Leicester v Burnley preview – By Simon Mack

Leicester City vs Burnley

Saturday 19^th October 15:00

King Power Stadium

The international break comes to an end this Saturday for the foxes with a home match up against 7^th placed Burnley.

The clarets come into this match having beaten Everton in their last match before international duties commenced with Irishman Jeff Hendrick scoring the winner 15 minutes from the final whistle.

Sean Dyche will be delighted with his sides start to the season with only defeats by Arsenal and Liverpool the only blots on their 19/20 copy book.  Unbeaten in their last 4 outings the clarets will visit King Power Stadium with former city front man Chris Wood amongst their ranks, and the New Zealander has bagged 3 goals already this term.

Burnley are winless from their last 6 road trips, and another former city regular is amongst their number in the guise of Chelsea loanee Danny Drinkwater. The former foxes midfielder has painted a chequered character since leaving the midlands, and the one time city favourite is a doubt to feature at his former home ground this weekend.

Icelandic winger Johann Berg Gudmundsson will be a definite omission from the clarets squad as he recovers from a hamstring problem. Ashley Barnes and Jack Cork are also doubts but their a rumblings that both are not far from being declared fit, and Burley’s injury issues are far more considerable than their hosts.

For Leicester the big talking point during the international break has been James Maddison’s withdrawal from England duty with a virus and subsequent appearance in a casino on the same night as England were playing. Foxes manager Brendan Rodgers alluded to the midfielders ‘mistake’ in his pre match press conference on Thursday and went on to add “”He watches the game at home on his own on the Friday and he then goes out at half-time.” “Probably he’ll make better decisions in his life, but he went to a casino on his own, to sit and watch the second half by a poker table.”

It is understood that the England medical team debated Maddison’s retention in the squad with the chances of him being able to play the 3 lions second game away to Bulgaria likely, but given the contagion of his condition they decided best to send him home to avoid spread amongst the wider squad.

The city talisman is almost certain to be fit and raring to go to face the clarets, and the rest of   Rodger’s impressive Leicester squad are fully fit and available for selection.

Whilst the foxes boss likes to adapt his side to the opposition from time to time you’d think this would be a match that the Northern Irishmen would be keen to dictate terms to the visitors, and a pressing attacking eleven is highly likely to feature this time around.

This is set to be an emotional day for all associated with Leicester City Football Club as the passing of club Chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha and other club employees is remembered as the 1^st anniversary of their tragic accident nears. Both fans and the club are paying homage to the man that steered the helm as the foxe’s dreams came true. He will forever be remembered with fondness by all that hold city in their heart, and may his proud Leicester City team deliver a result this weekend that allows Khun Vichai to look down and salute the club he held so dear.

City Predicted starting lineup:

Schmeichel, Ricardo, Evans, Soyuncu, Chilwell, Ndidi, Praet, Barnes, Tielemans, Maddison, Vardy

Burnley possible starting lineup:

Pope, Lowton, Tarkowski, Mee, Pieters, Lennon, Hendrick, Westwood, McNeil, Wood, Barnes