Newcastle vs Leicester: Line-up predicted as Foxes without key players | OneFootball

The King Power Club have amassed four points under the Dutchman's stewardship thus far from two games. With the tricky festive fixtures incoming, Leicester will need their team to play at their best, and the manager to choose the right team every time to maximise the points gained. The first test will be Newcastle United.

The team selection will be limited as we have previously detailed here. Importantly, with Boubakary Soumare, Wilfred Ndidi, Ricardo Pereira, Abdul Fatawu, and probably Harry Winks unavailable for selection, the line-up will inevitably be off. The system which underpins our success under 'RVN' with the No.6's will need to be disrupted.

Leicester City's Nistelrooy discusses selection

During the Leicester City press conference, head coach Ruud Van Nistelrooy discussed the options available to him across the pitch, as well as those we can expect from the bench when reading between the lines. These are the comments and what they mean for our predicted line-up.

With that pair unlikely to be in the starting XI, and the French midfielder suspended, the midfield will look very different to previous fixtures. It is highly likely that the Foxes will put their faith in their remaining two senior No.6's in the starting line-up: Hamza Choudhury and Oliver Skipp. This is further proven by comments about Skipp.

With such a glowing review, I would be highly surprised should the Dutchman not start the Englishman. Skipp will be important in filling the position held by Soumare, a versatile role in the No.6 position. A defensive midfielder is expected to also progress the ball and pass well. The recently signed player will start.

The King Power side will not be without options in the match. To me, the comments and the way Nistelrooy spoke about our options suggest he is trying to keep the line-up open to prevent Eddie Howe from creating a direct counter to what could be an obvious team selection.

The U21s like Henry Cartwright, wingers such as Kasey McAteer and Facundo Buonanotte can play in an attacking midfield role and some defenders who can go further in-field like Wout Faes or youngster Harvey Godsmark-Ford. This could cast doubt on the Choudhury-Skipp expectation.

In the back, Conor Coady and Jannik Vestergaard formed an early partnership under the Dutch head coach. However, in both games, Wout Faes came on the alter how the Foxes played and gave Leicester City an option for progression from the back. This is something which could be useful against Newcastle, so we might end up with a different backfour as a result. That being said, being happy with his role off the bench could imply Faes shall remain on the bench for the time being.

Whatever line-up is chosen, we know that against the Magpies, Leicester cannot put out a weakened starting XI regardless of the limitations imposed on the club through suspension and injury. Instead, we will see the best of the players who impressed over the last two fixtures featuring from the start.

Eddie Howe also has an injury to worry about: goalkeeper Nick Pope is a doubt for the tie. A strong XI will help the King Power side exploit this possible weakness by attacking the goal more. That being said, Ruud Van Nistelrooy still has to balance attack with defence when against Isak.

Predicted Starting XI

As a result, the defensive line-up might look something like this: Mads Hermansen, Victor Kristiansen, Conor Coady, Wout Faes, and James Justin. The Danish centre-back could come on later in the game for Coady and Caleb Okoli for Faes to maintain that balance of experience and pace to help tackle Alexander Isak.

In midfield, the priority must be disrupting progression, marking Isak and Bruno Guimaraes while pressing players before an opportune chance to pass out wide for Anthony Gordon, Harvey Barnes, or the like. As such, two No.6s must be selected, one more energetic, the other more progressive. Let us suggest Hamza Choudhury, Oliver Skipp, and Bilal El Khannouss.

Upfront, we should want to see a few changes. Some may want to see Stephy Mavididi start, but I feel the greater defensive contributions of Kasey McAteer could keep him in the XI, or Jordan Ayew will take that position while bringing Buonanotte back into the starting lineup. I would suggest McAteer, Jamie Vardy, and Buonanotte.

We have seen the effectiveness of Mavididi, Ayew, and Okoli as impact substitutes. I would expect all three as a minimum while a couple of academy players like Will Alves, Cartwright, or Godsmark-Ford could be on the bench with a chance to come on depending on how the team is playing.

What team do you feel Leicester City will put out to face the Magpies? Let Foxes of Leicester know on our social media channels your thoughts. Whatever happens, 'RVN' has already proven to be an improvement on our prior head coach, so even should we lose a lot of the festive games, we should not be disheartened.