90min

Leicester predicted lineup vs Napoli - Europa League

By Matt O'Connor-Simpson

Leicester will be hoping to get off to a good start in Europe
Leicester will be hoping to get off to a good start in Europe / Stephen Pond/Getty Images
facebooktwitterreddit

Leicester City have endured a topsy-turvy start to the Premier League season, registering two wins and two losses so far.

Things do not get any easier on Thursday night either, when their Europa League campaign kicks off with a visit from a Napoli side who have a 100% winning record this term.

Several Foxes players are out of form too, with many calling for Brendan Rodgers to shuffle his pack. Will he bow to public pressure? Here is his most likely starting XI...

1. Goalkeeper & defenders

Jannik Vestergaard
Vestergaard will likely make his Europa League debut for Leicester / James Williamson - AMA/Getty Images

Kasper Schmeichel (GK) - Schmeichel may be getting on but he remains one of the most reliable goalkeepers in Europe, as his performance against England in the Euro 2020 semi-finals showed.

Timothy Castagne (RB) - Ricardo Pereira was an unused substitute against Man City and considering his injury history he is unlikely to be risked here. Due to this, Castagne - complete with his scary face mask - will continue at right-back.

Caglar Soyuncu (CB) - Despite a poor start to the campaign in the absence of calming presence Jonny Evans beside him, Soyuncu will keep his place, as every other centre-back in the Leicester squad is injured.

Jannik Vestergaard (CB) - Vestergaard's return to the first team on Saturday was a big boost and despite his side losing the game, he was pretty impressive.

Ryan Bertrand (LB) - Luke Thomas could easily get the nod here. However, Bertrand is more likely to be preferred due to his greater experience.

2. Midfielders

Harvey Barnes
Barnes' place in the side could be under threat soon / James Williamson - AMA/Getty Images

Marc Albrighton (RM) - The ever-reliable Albrighton is not the most sensational going forward but his discipline will be important on Thursday against the forward-thinking Mario Rui.

Wilfred Ndidi (CM) - Ndidi is one of the best defensive midfielders in the world and he will have his hands full preventing Napoli taking control of the game.

Youri Tielemans (CM) - He seems increasingly likely to depart the club this summer - if not before - but while he is here Tielemans is an automatic starter, as has been the case for the past two seasons.

Harvey Barnes (LM) - After returning from injury, Barnes has been quiet this season and with Ademola Lookman waiting in the wings he needs to start producing soon.

3. Forwards

Kelechi Iheanacho
Iheanacho deserves his chance / James Williamson - AMA/Getty Images

Kelechi Iheanacho (ST) - James Maddison has started the season horrifically and Rodgers suggested after the City defeat that rotation was possible. Iheanacho - who was one of the in-form strikers in Europe last season - is the most likely beneficiary if the Foxes boss follows through on his threat.

Jamie Vardy (ST) - After a painful scoreless run at the end of the last season, Vardy has already managed two goals and an assist so far this campaign. Patson Daka will have to wait a little longer for his chance.

Home/Leicester City