This Saturday will see Leicester City travel to Carrow Road to face an in-form Norwich City side – a side of who have accumulated impressive points on the road as of late, at both Anfield and the Boleyn Ground. Both teams are in glowing form which makes for an exhilarating encounter. The Foxes will go into the game following a demolition at the Emirates, but the wretched result does not reflect the hard work and performances of which they have produced so far this season. Norwich, on the other hand, will progress into the game having accumulated two points from tough opposition in their last two league games – their morale is certainly on a high, but then so is Leicester’s.
With the unexpected departure of one Nigel Pearson, this season has seen Leicester City look to write a new chapter in their ever-developing tale with the appointment of Claudio Ranieri. The new man has seen his side take to an unexpected and miraculous start this season, accumulating 12 points from a possible 21. Wins against the likes of Sunderland and Villa sees the Foxes sit at ninth position in the league table – missing out on a European place solely on goal difference. A summer of ins-and-outs has seen the club strengthen; the likes of Nathan Dyer, Robert Huth, and Gokhan Inler to name a few have added mettle to the team. All are experienced and accomplished players who could make the difference for the club this season.
There will undoubtedly be headaches for both managers this weekend with exceptional depth of which to choose from for both parties. Leicester will be without the services of Matty James for their visit to Carrow Road, but they could see the return of Nathan Dyer following a light knock which he picked up before their clash with Stoke City.
For the home side, Norwich are still missing Gary Hooper and summer signing Youssouf Mulumbu – both players are expected to return mid-October. One potential change for this clash could be that Cameron Jerome is dropped to the bench in place of Norwich’s new signing Dieumerci Mbokani. Another question to be asked is as to whether Olsson will retain his place in the starting eleven, or will Jarvis come straight back in with Brady falling back to left full-back? On the Leicester front, there is no doubt that Jamie Vardy shall feature – a player who’s in inspired form. With very few restrictions for both Neil and Ranieri, onlookers can expect to see the best from both sides.
Form
Going into the game, both teams are level in terms of form. Both Norwich and Leicester have achieved two wins, two draws and a loss in their last five matches. Equally, both teams have faced tough opposition and have had similar opponents.
Leicester City: D-W-D-W-L (Least recent – Most recent)
Norwich City: L-W-D-W-D (Least recent – Most recent)
Predicted team
My predicted XI sees Jarvis make an immediate return to the starting lineup in place of Martin Olsson. I also feel that Mbokani will get his chance up front as I feel he will compete against the likes of Huth to a higher standard than what Jerome would, bearing in mind the height and strength of the experienced German defender. I feel Neil, given this is a home match, will drop Howson in place for Redmond to offer pace and width down the flanks to run at a vulnerable Leicester defence. With Dorrans moving into a more central role alongside Tettey, this offers control and strength in the midfield areas which will be crucial against a side capable of dominating play. I feel that Lafferty will fail to make the bench despite his incredible return – which is unjust in my opinion – with Grabban being given the nod instead.
Verdict
Between them, Norwich and Leicester have conceded 26 goals between them so I expect a high-scoring game on Saturday. Without a shadow of doubt this will be a tough test for the Canaries, but I feel we can take something from the game. Leicester will create dangerous passages of play, but I feel we can return that through the likes of Nathan and Matt. If we are to get something from the game, Ruddy and his defensive teammates will have to keep tight on the likes of Vardy and Dyer, and Mbokani and Wes will have to shake up a vulnerable Leicester defence. With both teams leaking goals, I predict a heavily scoring game ending in a draw at three a piece: Norwich City 3-3 Leicester City.
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