How do Leicester stop Atletico?

Win the midfield battles

Whoever wins the war in the middle of the park will win the match. Both sides have plenty going for them in that department, but Leicester are lagging behind their opponents in terms of quality. Gabi, Koke and Saul make up a midfield trio, and that’s amongst the best engine in the competition this year. In Gabi they have a player who is willing and able to roll up his sleeves and get dirty. Koke on the other hand will be keen to get forward and unlock an opponent happy to sit deep. It won’t be the first time he’s been asked to do it, and has become rather good at it, to say the least. What the English side lack on the stats sheet they must make up for in desire, and, put bluntly, aggression.

Shakespeare will be expecting his boys to defend from the halfway line, and knock the flair out of Madrid’s stars. Atletico’s three look narrow, which has its advantages, but when Leicester win the ball in their own half they must attack the space and get up and down those flanks, exposing the space. They have to be brave and take players on, which we’re sure they will. Vardy to score anytime is 7/2 with Coral.

Remain competitive going into the second-leg

Leicester were beaten 2-1 away to Sevilla in the last round, but that goal from Vardy on 73-minutes at 2-0 changed the tie, giving Leicester a chance going back to England. Over two legs a loss isn’t necessarily a bad thing, as long as they can score. Madrid do have a world class defence, and have won four of their last six in the league without conceding. The Spaniards have conceded in three of their last five at this level however, and Leicester have hit the goal trail domestically, scoring at least two goals in each of their last six. Coral traders have a 3-1 Madrid win at 11/1, and that would keep the round open going to the King Power.

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