Leicester City braces for a crucial showdown against play-off hopefuls West Bromwich Albion this weekend, understanding the significance of securing a victory. Enzo Maresca’s side faces mounting pressure following Southampton’s convincing triumph over Preston North End, intensifying the race for automatic promotion in the Championship.
Having suffered consecutive defeats, Leicester City occupies the second spot, a precarious position with Leeds United trailing closely by a single point and Southampton looming just four points adrift. With only four games remaining, the Foxes cannot afford any slip-ups in their pursuit of automatic promotion.
The task becomes even more daunting for Leicester as they prepare to face West Brom without their leading goal scorer, Brandon Thomas-Asante. The 25-year-old forward, who has notched 12 goals this season, will serve a one-game suspension following his second yellow card in the recent defeat to Sunderland.
In Thomas-Asante’s absence, Josh Maja is expected to fill the void, eager to capitalize on the opportunity to showcase his talents after limited league appearances this season. However, West Brom will also be without key players Daryl Dike and Jayson Molumby, further altering their lineup for the crucial encounter.
Given West Brom’s formidable defensive record, characterized by the third-fewest goals conceded in the league, a tightly contested affair is anticipated. Consequently, Maresca must be proactive in utilizing his substitutes, recognizing the potential impact of timely changes on the outcome of the match.
With criticism directed at Maresca for his reluctance to make substitutions earlier in matches, the clash against West Brom presents a test of his tactical acumen. The Italian manager must demonstrate astuteness in his decision-making, especially against a formidable opponent led by one of the division’s top managers.
Armed with a talented squad, Leicester City possesses ample options off the bench, including Tom Cannon and Kelechi Iheanacho, who have been underutilized in recent fixtures. Maresca must be willing to deploy these resources effectively, leveraging their capabilities to secure a pivotal victory and maintain their pursuit of automatic promotion.