Leicester v Middlesbrough Preview

Boro haven’t beaten the Foxes for 14 years in all competitions but Claudio Ranieri’s side have, so far, looked a shadow of the team which lifted the title last campaign.

Even so Boro boss Aitor Karanka, who has watched his side perform well against the Arsenal, Manchester City, and Chelsea in recent weeks, is taking nothing for granted ahead of the game at the King Power Stadium.

“It’s dangerous for us,” said the Boro manager. “Sometimes you can forget that they (Leicester) qualified for the Champions League and won the Premier League last season.

“You just look at the table and see that they’re just one point above us. It’ll be a big mistake to think it’s going to be easy or that they’re an easy opponent because they’re down (towards) the bottom of the table”.

Karanka was also complementary of his opposite number Ranieri, while admiring the Italian’s achievement last season. “I think it’s his experience (that you can learn from),” said Karanka. “The way he won the league last season was amazing”.

Team News 

Karanka confirmed that George Friend will be out with a knee injury for three to four weeks, after the full back missed last Sunday’s game against Chelsea.

In Friend’s absence Fabio is likely to keep his place at left back.

Leicester will welcome back forwards Islam Slimani and Leonardo Ulloa, after the pair missed the Foxes Champions League victory over Club Brugge on Tuesday.

Midfielder Danny Drinkwater will miss the game after receiving a three-match ban for elbowing Watford’s Valon Behrami.

The Opposition

Leicester have won just three of their 12 Premier League games this sea

son and haven’t won in the competition since they beat Crystal Palace on October 22.

Slimani, the Foxes record signing, has been their top scorer in the league, while the goals from Riyad Mahrez and Jamie Vardy – which propelled the Foxes to the title last year – have dried up abruptly.

In recent weeks Ranieri’s side have lost at home to West Brom and away at Watford, however their performances in the Champions League couldn’t have been more disparate.

Last Tuesday the Foxes secured their place in the knockout stages by beating Club Brugge to ensure that they topped Group A.

Despite their form in the league, Leicester shouldn’t be underestimated, especially at The King Power which was a fortress for them last season. If players like Mahrez, Vardy can refind their mojo they will be a force to be reckoned with once again.

One To Watch
Riyad Mahrez

Last season’s PFA player of the year has failed to rediscover the scintillating form that he regularly produced last season, however that was always going to be big ask after the most remarkable story in Premier League history.

Even so the Algerian has still been close to his best in the Champions League, where he has scored four goals in five games.

Last Time Out
Leicester 2 Middlesbrough 0 – 25/1/2014

Leicester extended their lead at the top of the Championship after goals from Jamie Vardy and Ritchie De Laet secured a 2-0 victory at the King Power.

Boro’s form had picked-up under Aitor Karanka, however their charge towards the play-off places was halted by Nigel Pearson’s side.

Vardy opened the scoring on 52 minutes when he converted David Nugent’s cut back.
Boro keeper Shay Given then saved Nugent’s penalty before De Laet sealed the win with a header.

Team I Would Play

(Picture from Gazette Boro)

I would go with the same team which started against Chelsea, as I think playing three central midfielders gives Boro more stability away from home.

A lot has been said about Boro's striker situation in the past week, and whether Karanka should stick with Alvaro Negredo or recall Jordan Rhodes upfront.

I do feel sorry for Rhodes and feel that he does deserve more opportunities, especially when Boro are chasing a game and need a goal to get back into the game. However, I'd stick with Negredo for this game as I think he can hold the ball up more effectively and gives the side a better outlet away from home.