Following a dull yet crucial victory in the FA Cup, Leicester return to Championship action with a trip to Coventry City. The win away at Cheltenham saw many of the academy’s finest talents feature and show why they deserve more minutes. Most notably, Louis Page and Bade Aluko impressed, which should bode well for the Foxes’ rotation heading into the tough part of the season. Therefore, here is the Leicester Predicted Lineup as they take on the league leaders in a heavily anticipated M69 Derby.
Leicester Predicted Lineup vs Coventry City for M69 Derby
How Leicester City Have Lined Up Recently
Against Cheltenham, Marti Cifuentes made several changes in a bid to provide opportunities elsewhere. As a result of this change, Asmir Begovic started for the first time since November in place of Jakub Stolarczyk. Meanwhile, the centre-back partnership of Jannik Vestergaard and Ben Nelson also returned, which was the pair’s first game together since the 4-1 loss to QPR. In the full-back positions, further change came as Luke Thomas and Bade Aluko were fit replacements for Hamza Choudhury and Ricardo Pereira.
Due to his versatility, Choudhury instead moved into his more natural position in the double pivot. This was alongside Oliver Skipp, who once again had a great performance. Just in front of them was 17-year-old Page, who made his FA Cup debut and his first start since August. Out wide, Stephy Mavdidi started and scored his third goal of the campaign. Meanwhile, on the opposite flank, Silko Thomas started and linked up well with fellow academy graduate Aluko. To cap off the eleven, Patson Daka led the line, whilst also opening his account for 2026 at just the second time of asking.
Leicester City’s Recent Form And Tactics
In terms of the game, Leicester took control from the off and dominated possession with the final total standing at 71%. As one would expect from an FA Cup third-round game, the home side were physical, and the packed-out crowd were intimidating. Although Leicester saw much of the ball, Cheltenham did hold their own early on and had chances of their own. However, it was the quality of City’s stars that provided the lead.
Mavdidi combined with Daka, and from there the Zambian received on the half turn and beat the keeper from range. After chances at both ends, Mavididi’s quality proved to be the difference maker once again. City’s winger took the ball around the final third and managed to beat several men before slotting it home to double their lead. The half showed glimpses of the quality these Leicester players have, though this would be expected against inferior opposition.
Read More: Marti Cifuentes Comments Must Lead to Better Academy Pathways at Leicester
As for the second half, the Foxes never really got out of second gear. With the lead and Leicester’s players down on confidence, it was always important to put together a professional performance and enter the next round. That they did, and it was with their young talents at the forefront. Nine academy graduates were included in the squad, six of whom were in the starting eleven. The synergy between these players was certainly a standout feature of the game, as Aluko and Thomas were constantly rotating between overlapping and underlapping. These features of Leicester’s play could be a real weapon in years to come, as more and more talents progress through the academy system.
Leicester City Team News
As confirmed by the Spanish manager, absences are an expectation heading into the M69 derby. After coming off early last weekend, Jannik Vestergaard’s fitness may have been a concern; however, Cifuentes confirms he is available. In addition to this, Boubakary Soumaré is back, despite garnering interest from Monaco ahead of his contract expiring this summer. Outside of this, there are plenty of negatives. Victor Kristiansen, Aaron Ramsey and Harry Souttar all remain on the sidelines, as they have done for much of the season.
Leicester Predicted Lineup vs Coventry City
GK: Jakub Stolarczyk
RB: Ricardo Pereira
RCB: Caleb Okoli
LCB: Ben Nelson
LB: Hamza Choudhury
DM: Oliver Skipp
DM: Jordan James
RW: Abdul Fatawu
AM: Bobby Decordova Reid
LW: Stephy Mavididi
ST: Jordan Ayew
Featured Image Credit: IMAGO / Pro Sports Images
