Is the Premier League even back if Jamie Vardy has not accommodated a set of away fans in a Leicester City victory?
The veteran striker offered us his very best “wolf howl” after killing Wolverhampton Wanderers on the opening weekend of the new season, and now we can all say with certainty that football is back – and we love it.
Vardy’s goal was enough to give Leicester all three points and start their campaign in a perfect way. But they face a difficult journey to West Ham United on Monday night, where Brendan Rodgers will aim for a second consecutive victory.
Should he stick to the winning formula or make changes to the trip to East London?
Here is a 90-minute predicted Leicester lineup for the trip to West Ham.
Between the Pins / Michael Regan / Getty Images
Kasper Schmeichel (GK) – No doubt about the man between the goal posts. Schmeichel is one of the best in the league in his position, but he will have his work cut out against the ruthless Michail Antonio. Ricardo Pereira (RB) – It’s great to see Pereira back after his long battle with injuries. The hill was crucial for their victory over Wolves, and got the assist that won the match. Same again, please.Jannik Vestergaard (CB) – Daniel Amartey started against Wolves, but Vestergaard should go straight into the squad after his move from Southampton.
Caglar Soyuncu (CB) – Soyuncu needs to start with another center-back partner, and he needs to get his teammate settled and get up early. Timothy Castagne (LB) – We could also see Castagne’s first appearance of the season, after returning from a nasty facial injury he suffered during Belgium’s Euro 2020 campaign.
A wrestling match that no one wants / Matthew Lewis / Getty Images
Youri Tielemans (CM) – Many thought Tielemans would be suspended this summer, but he has stuck to dominating the Premier League midfield in Leicester blue for another year. Stand for an interesting fight with Declan Rice.Wilfred Ndidi (CM) – Another talented player on the ball, Ndidi will need to keep an eye on Said Benrahma and Pablo Fornal’s movement in West Ham’s last third.
James Maddison (AM) – The creative talisman in the middle. When he is in shape, Leicester are an incredibly difficult team to stop. Another man who needs to get better from Declan Rice.
Howling to the Wolves / Matthew Lewis / Getty Images
Ayoze Perez (RW) – Not one of the more famous stars of this team, but Perez is definitely an important player in replicating how Rodgers wants the game to be played.
Jamie Vardy (ST) – How will Vardy celebrate a goal on Monday? Pretend to swing a giant hammer to decapitate a corner flag? Apply a little iron on the player’s back? We can not wait to find out.
Harvey Barnes (LW) – Back from his injury and ready to make up for lost time, Barnes will be a living thread on the left flank. The English winger vs Vladimir Coufal is a fantastic match-up.
