Leicester v Boro 1-1 (Ayling)

[Nobby Barnes 1,293 2.1k]

I'm making my debut on the MDT Sportsfans, and its Leicester Away.... Whoop Whoop !!

Leicester City host Middlesbrough in a pivotal Championship clash on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, at the King Power Stadium. Both sides are eyeing promotion, making this a high-stakes encounter. 

The last time I went to Leicester was at Filbert Street on Saturday 21st April 2001 when the Boro won 3-0. Wouldn't we all love a repeat of that scoreline with goals coming from Ricard, Boksic and Ince. 

Our last match - Watford AWAY LOST 3-0

I'm prepared to write off our last game against Watford. We had a plan and team selection to counter them, but it didn't work. According to Rob Edwards the players were warned about the threat of Watford on the counter but still couldn't stop it. 

I did warn use all about the threat of Imran Louza, and no surprise he popped up with the opening goal. Technically excellent, he was never going to miss from there after our midfield failed to track his run into the box.

Well guys, this is the Championship, and you can't win em all, so we go again !!! Leicester will be different proposition and I expect us to be ready for the challenge.

Their last match - Blackburn HOME LOST 2-0

I watched Leicester's game on Saturday at home to Blackburn in preparation for this preview and they looked poor, the crowd were chanting "Marti Marti sort it out" to manager Martí Cifuentes. 

Two goals from Andri Gudjohnsen either side of half-time consigned the Foxes to a third straight defeat and brought boos from the stands at full-time. By the end of the match, the players themselves were jeered with "you're not fit to wear the shirt". Perhaps this is a good time to play them ?

Players to Watch

I have always liked Harry Winks, not sure what's happened to the early promise after he burst onto the scene with Spurs. He quickly got into the England side and has 10 full caps. A good range of passing and excellent ball retention.

Jordan Ayew is another player I rate and it's a surprise he's not in the starting line-up at the moment. Played most of his career in the Premier League. Although not a prolific goalscorer, he should be better than most at this level.

Wout Faes was my Notebook choice when we played Leicester at the Riverside the year they got promoted. He was arguably the best defender in the Championship that season and is excellent on the ball. Again I'm amazed he doesn't appear to be starting.

Line Up

I imagine we will go back to the usual 4231 for this one, it just didn't seem to work with the 3 in midfield against Watford, did it ? I'm guessing we will also rotate again up front as we strive to work out what's the best combination.

Hopefully Fry will be fit to start after Saturday. Not sure why Edwards used all 5 substitutes with 20 minutes to go ? That seemed foolhardy to me, I would always keep one back just in case someone gets injured.

I'm also hoping it's time for the return of McGree ! So presuming Fry is fit...

Brynn

Brittain Jones Fry Targett

Hackney, Morris

Whittaker Strelec McGree

Conway

 

That's it guys, and it's all my own work, enjoy the match !!

Regards

Nobby 

PS NO TEAM LEEKS ON MY WATCH !

 

[ChipBarrington 458 1.3k]

I agree that Watford won 2-0 as that last goal shouldnt have counted.

If Edwards hadnt had to rip the plan up at half time last week as well, im sure he would have made subs at Watford at HT.

Its almost like they cant see things in training - Brown has been our best midfielder but has only got and kept his place from Morris being away with USA. We have good full backs, not good wingbacks yet persist on having them as our only wide outlet. We have actually fell to being near top of the league. For me its time to pick a system (which involves a back 4), stick with it but also decide where people are best.

I would go 4231

Brynn

Targett

Jones

Ayling

Brittain

Hackney

Browne

Burgzorg Lw

Hansen Cam

Whittaker Lw

Strelec

For everyone except those that have seen him play this wont make sense, but Burgzorg is both s**t and effective. Hansen looks like he wants a free role and csnt hold width plus has pace and quick feet so just let him go out and cause havoc. Whittaker is s**t and ineffective but unsure Hansen can hold position on the right, and dont want to rush Mcgree back. Give Strelec a run of games as the man in a formation tailored to getting him on the end of chances and see what he can do. He makes some good runs that arent found, and was unlucky there was a 2nd covering defender with his late chance against Watford.

[Uncle-Festa 1,016 655]

4.2.3.1 for me:

Brynn

Britt Fry Jones Targett

Hackney Browne

Nypan Strelec McGree

Conway

[Rob 7,421 11.3k]

4-0 to the boro

[Downsouth 8,792 40k]

Good effort NB but have amended the header to the normal format (learn this in case you do (Boro V Birmingham))

Was the 2-0 defeat to Watford a deliberate typo!

[edinboro 1,731 2.5k]

I'm not even predicting a team for this. I've no idea. We don't know if Fry is fit. Could Bangura come in on the left? Will he risk McGree, it might just be worth it. Will he give Strelec and Conway a proper run together as that seems the logical 10-9 partnership to me. Will he give Hansen and Sene a proper run of pitch time?

There's almost too many options. However Edwards and co should be wise enough to work out what the right options are.

2000 Boro fans there tomorrow should make sure the players are confident plus the Leicester defeat at the weekend.

Let's hope we can get back ok track.

[Downsouth 8,792 40k]

What time is KO and can the game be viewed on tv?

Questions questions questions!

Are there other significant games taking place?

 

[Blanco 5,841 7.3k]

11 minutes ago, Downsouth said:

What time is KO and can the game be viewed on tv?

Questions questions questions!

Are there other significant games taking place?

 

19.45 and it’s on Sky Sports +

[Marvanelli 2,081 1.4k]

I can see us going to a back 4 here, with the likely loss of Fry and lack of options at CB, other than Jones & Ayling slotting in.

So I'll go:

...........Brynn........

Brittain..Ayling..Jones..Targett

.......Hackney....Browne.......

Whittaker...Strelec....McGree.

...........Conway.............

 

The 3 behind Conway could be any 3 from.....Morris, Nypan, Burgzorg, Hansen.....or the 3 I've predicted.....I don't think Sene should start.

[MarkT73 1,216 1.2k]

52 minutes ago, Marvanelli said:

I can see us going to a back 4 here, with the likely loss of Fry and lack of options at CB, other than Jones & Ayling slotting in.

So I'll go:

...........Brynn........

Brittain..Ayling..Jones..Targett

.......Hackney....Browne.......

Whittaker...Strelec....McGree.

...........Conway.............

 

The 3 behind Conway could be any 3 from.....Morris, Nypan, Burgzorg, Hansen.....or the 3 I've predicted.....I don't think Sene should start.

That's my choice of team too. We need to stick to it for a few games to see if they can gel. Plenty of game time for others from the bench to pop in like for like.

Too much changing at the moment. Need to settle on a starting 11 and let them play together.

[Nobby Barnes 1,293 2.1k]

2 hours ago, Downsouth said:

Good effort NB but have amended the header to the normal format (learn this in case you do (Boro V Birmingham))

Was the 2-0 defeat to Watford a deliberate typo!

No will change it Thanks 

Even I make the odd mistake 😉

[Downsouth 8,792 40k]

2 hours ago, Blanco said:

19.45 and it’s on Sky Sports +

I know that Joe was pulling his leg to get more substance into the op🙃

[Downsouth 8,792 40k]

I don't know if you want something doing properly then do it yourself!

 

Only kidding Nobby but making sure this thread can gain some significant momentum post wise.

Anyway due to recent results there are some really significant games playing elsewhere tomorrow and if results do not go our way tomorrow we could find ourselves in fourth or fifth spot table wise (not that it should alarm anyone or cause we are doomed negative comments)

Here we go and hey predict the full time scores of each game

Charlton V WBA (prefer draw here)

Bristol City V Blackburn (again a draw preferred or away win)

Derby V Hull (home win for me)

Ipswich V Watford (draw or hate to say this an away win very poor on the road are Watford)

Oxford V Stoke (Home win come on you U's)

Birmingham V Millwall (Home win or draw at worst)

Coventry V Sheffield United (get behind Wilders boys but nothing beyond a home win for me) 

[edinboro 1,731 2.5k]

Well I didn't think Edwards was that convincing re Wolves. Even after the Echo really pushed his to reassure us. Let's hope GON gets confirmed ASAP.

I do really like his analysis of games. He talks like he knows we understand the game. And he's honest I'm assessing the problems in the team.

No ream leaks I don't think as he said he won't name the team until tomorrow due to a few knocks.

[Downsouth 8,792 40k]

7 minutes ago, edinboro said:

Well I didn't think Edwards was that convincing re Wolves. Even after the Echo really pushed his to reassure us. Let's hope GON gets confirmed ASAP.

I do really like his analysis of games. He talks like he knows we understand the game. And he's honest I'm assessing the problems in the team.

No ream leaks I don't think as he said he won't name the team until tomorrow due to a few knocks.

Fry for one I should imagine