The return to fitness of three midfielders gives Maresca a welcome headache in the centre of the park when his side take on Watford at the King Power Stadium on Saturday
Wilfred Ndidi, Dennis Praet, and Yunus Akgun are all in contention to play against the Hornets on Saturday after recovering from their respective injuries. And with Cesare Casadei, they are all in the battle to start alongside Hamza Choudhury and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall in midfield
For City’s last outing at Middlesbrough, Casadei was dropped to the bench, with Ricardo Pereira pushing further forward. But the Portuguese is needed at full-back, so is unlikely to play in advanced midfield at the King Power Stadium.
Casadei’s underwhelming form means that one of the returning players could take over, with Ndidi possibly the favourite. He has been Maresca’s go-to man most often this season, even with the Nigerian still learning the ropes in his new attacking position.
aresca has praised Dennis Praet and said he’s the most natural fit for the role, but after three months out, he may need to be eased back in, and so it’s more likely the Belgian will be a substitute. Yunus may provide more creativity than the other options, which could be important against a good Watford defence, but the Turk has tended to only be selected by Maresca when he has rotated others out to keep them fresh.
Yunus Akgun is fit again and could be in contention to start in midfield
The return to fitness of three midfielders gives Enzo Maresca a four-way selection decision for Leicester City’s clash with Watford.
Wilfred Ndidi, Dennis Praet, and Yunus Akgun are all in contention to play against the Hornets on Saturday after recovering from their respective injuries. And with Cesare Casadei, they are all in the battle to start alongside Hamza Choudhury and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall in midfield.
For City’s last outing at Middlesbrough, Casadei was dropped to the bench, with Ricardo Pereira pushing further forward. But the Portuguese is needed at full-back, so is unlikely to play in advanced midfield at the King Power Stadium.
Casadei’s underwhelming form means that one of the returning players could take over, with Ndidi possibly the favourite. He has been Maresca’s go-to man most often this season, even with the Nigerian still learning the ropes in his new attacking position.
Maresca has praised Dennis Praet and said he’s the most natural fit for the role, but after three months out, he may need to be eased back in, and so it’s more likely the Belgian will be a substitute. Yunus may provide more creativity than the other options, which could be important against a good Watford defence, but the Turk has tended to only be selected by Maresca when he has rotated others out to keep them fresh.
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Choudhury is a certainty to play in the deep midfield role with Maresca announcing in advance that the homegrown midfielder would be taking over from Harry Winks. The summer signing will miss a league fixture for the first time as he serves a one-match suspension.
In his other big decisions, Maresca may opt to go with the players who have been with him over the past fortnight, rather than those who have been away with their countries. That means Jamie Vardy may get the nod over Kelechi Iheanacho up front, while Kasey McAteer could play on the right instead of Abdul Fatawu.
Predicted City line-up (4-3-3): Hermansen; Ricardo, Faes, Vestergaard, Justin; Choudhury, Ndidi, Dewsbury-Hall; McAteer, Vardy, Mavididi. Subs from: Stolarczyk, Souttar, Coady, Praet, Casadei, Yunus, Albrighton, Fatawu, Iheanacho, Cannon, Daka.
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