da heads bet： Leicester have a second shot at FA Cup progression with their replay against Derby on Wednesday night. This is a match that could mean so much to the Foxes after their dire run in the league could also be another nail in Claudio Ranieri’s King Power Stadium managerial coffin. Yes, that’s 2015/16 league winning boss, Ranieri.
da winzada777： Derby have been on an indifferent run in the Championship, but remain firmly in the play-off race. Going into this heated local bout they certainly have more momentum than the Foxes, with the reigning English champions having lost four straight in the league without even finding the net once, which isn’t exactly the form of a side who are going to pull away from a relegation tussle.
This match can either be a further confirmation of the trouble Leicester are in or a brief respite from the pressure of the league. Derby, meanwhile, have little to lose. They can topple the champions and local rivals if they win, but a loss is by no means a crisis and is actually expected – it’s a win-win.
It will be a close run thing, mind. So these THREE duels will be crucial…
Right flank key for Foxes…
Claudio Ranieri’s team selection is a complete unknown at this point. With the match obviously a great opportunity to turn their season around, Leicester could opt to go for a full strength side. However, their woes in the league mean the Italian could opt to rest some of his first-choice players.
Whether it be Demarai Gray or Riyad Mahrez on Leicester’s right flank against Markus Olsson, though, the Foxes will need something special from that side of the field. Challenging their marker in very different ways admittedly, Gray and Mahrez are two of the players in the Leicester squad capable of turning a match on their own.
Ram raid in midfield…
Derby hold the best defensive record in the Championship, and much of that is down to the industry and nous of their midfielders. Likely to have a spare man against Leicester’s two in the centre of the park, the Rams could well dominate the middle third of the pitch.
If they can stop the supply line to Jamie Vardy, Leicester, as they have on far too many outings this season, will be forced to rely on a piece of magic from their wide players. While N’Golo Kante’s departure has taken much of the blame for Leicester’s demise, it is time that their other central midfielders step up.
Ince in form
Starting on the right of Derby’s front three, Tom Ince is the Rams’ top scorer this season. His pace is naturally the biggest threat to a Leicester defence that has been torn to shreds by any runners beyond this season. Likely to attack the channel between the left-back – likely to be Ben Chilwell – and Robert Huth, Ince could be the difference maker.
The hype around the former Liverpool trainee has died down, but the talent that made him such a promising young player is still evident. If nothing else, his presence will create more room for Derby’s other forwards and on-rushing midfielders.