Watford predicted lineup vs Leicester - Premier League

Claudio Ranieri has seen his side concede and score five goals in separate games to make an erratic start to his tenure as Watford manager
Claudio Ranieri has seen his side concede and score five goals in separate games to make an erratic start to his tenure as Watford manager / Visionhaus/GettyImages
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Claudio Ranieri takes his Watford side to the scene of his greatest triumph as the Hornets travel to Leicester City's King Power Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Under Ranieri's stewardship the Foxes lost just one home game all season en route to an unforgettable Premier League title in 2016. This weekend will mark the Italian's first return to the pitch where Andrea Bocelli belted out Nessun Dorma as an opposition manager since those heady days.

Here's the Watford lineup Ranieri may call upon to get one over on the club that will forever have a place for him in their history.


Watford predicted lineup vs Leicester - Premier League

1. Goalkeeper & defenders

Ben Foster (GK) - The Premier League may have robbed him of his GoPro but this season's oldest player (by more than a year) has often been forced to put on a show to keep his side in multiple games.

Kiko Femenia (RB) - One of the Championship's most creative full-backs last season has already laid on two goals this term.

Craig Cathcart (CB) - A veteran of Blackpool's one Premier League season in 2010/11, Cathcart is back in the mix of first-team regulars after a fluctuating status in the squad during his eight seasons in Hertfordshire.

William Troost-Ekong (CB) - The latest Hornet to succumb to the allure of YouTube's algorithm may be in line for a return to the starting XI in light of Nicolas N'Koulou's doubtful fitness.

Adam Masina (LB) - Danny Rose's last two starts for Watford (against Liverpool and Arsenal) have been so thoroughly calamitous they offer little in the way of competition for Masina.

2. Midfielders

Tom Cleverley (CM) - Cruel England fans once launched a prolifically-signed petition to remove the then-Manchester United player from the national team squad, yet few Hornets would want him anywhere other than Watford's starting XI given the display he produced against his former side last weekend.

Juraj Kucka (CM) -
Back from suspension, Kucka's physical approach to the game is very much in keeping with Watford's ranking as the Premier League's most plentiful source of fouls.

Moussa Sissoko (CM) - Boasting the most appearances of an outfield player in Watford's squad, the summer arrival from Tottenham provides an unmatched quilt of experience to the midfield.

3. Forwards

Ismaila Sarr (RW) - Only four players can better Sarr's return of five Premier League goals this season, underling the critical importance placed on his rapid recovery from a knock to the knee.

Josh King (ST) - If only King could play against his former clubs every week (a quarter of his Premier League goals have come against Everton and Manchester United alone). The Norway international has never played for the Foxes, but has scored twice against them.

Emmanuel Dennis (LW) - Eric Cantona, Arjen Robben and Bruno Fernandes are among the select group of players Dennis could join if he scores on Sunday, thereby taking his tally to five goals and as many assists in his first 12 Premier League matches.