Discussing Leicester City vs. Newcastle with Foxes of Leicester

We take a look at what the opposition have to say regarding tomorrow’s clash between Leicester City and Newcastle United.

Newcastle United will be in action tomorrow at the King Power Stadium against Leicester City. The Magpies enter this match as underdogs and most pundits from major media outlets expect the Foxes to handle business at home. In an effort to provide our readers with a new perspective for tomorrow’s game, I have reached out to The Foxes of Leicester and collaborated with Harneet Singh Sethi to discuss and predict what we think will happen tomorrow.

With Leicester City currently being in the top four, do you think the Foxes are expecting tomorrow’s game against 17th-placed Newcastle United to be a walk in the park?

Harneet: Anyone who thinks this is going to be a passeggiata for Leicester City doesn’t know them – or Newcastle United – well enough. The Magpies might be placed in the aphotic end of the table, but it doesn’t change the fact that they can defend for their lives and make the most free-flowing teams look like rubbish. Leicester are no exception to that.

Durim: I definitely think most Leicester City fans are expecting their team to walk all over Newcastle United tomorrow, but the players and coaching staff know this will be a tough game. The Foxes and Magpies have enjoyed some good battles over the last two seasons and I think Brendan Rodgers is expecting yet another close, chippy game tomorrow.

Who do you think will have the greatest impact for both teams tomorrow?

Harneet: James Maddison is who I expect to be the most influential for Leicester. He has arguably been their best player this season and will certainly be the go-to man against a team that likes to defend deep. He needs to have a good day. As for Newcastle, Miguel Almiron is one player I’d keep my eye on. His pace is something that could test Caglar Soyuncu, and we know the Turkish international, despite being immense this season, can behave unusually when an opponent threatens to run in behind.

Durim: For Leicester City, I have my eyes on Jamie Vardy for two simple reasons. Firstly, he has already scored three goals and bagged an assist for the Foxes this season. Secondly, he always manages to have a great game against Newcastle United. For Newcastle United, I think Allan Saint-Maximin could be the difference maker. The young winger has blistering pace and likes to cut inside to create some chances and test the keeper. If he is on his A game, Leicester City will have a problem on their hands.

Leicester City are blessed with diverse scoring options up top and in midfield, but will Newcastle United’s 3-5-2 or 4-5-1 setup cause problems for the Foxes?

Harneet: I do not see the visitors threatening as much offensively as defensively. As I mentioned before, Leicester have a tendency to run out of ideas when teams crowd the middle of the park and sit back. Brendan Rodgers cannot afford to get his tactics wrong at all.

Durim: I think Steve Bruce’s defensive setup will frustrate Leicester City, however, gifting the home side with plenty of possession will give them time to spread the ball around and attack in a variety of ways from out wide and up the middle. The Magpies’ need to be aware of their surroundings tomorrow and close gaps as quickly as possible.

Prediction: What do you think the final score will be and why?

Harneet’s Prediction: Leicester City 2-1 Newcastle United

• It will be a close battle, mainly because of Leicester’s shortcomings, but I have no doubts that their wealth of attacking options will eventually earn them the three points they want.

Durim’s Prediction: Leicester City 2-1 Newcastle United

• I share the same opinion as Harneet in terms of predicting a close affair tomorrow. Newcastle United can defend well, but defending for too long in a game just adds more pressure to the back-line as they invite a constant bombardment of shots from the opposition.