Leicester’s season does not begin under the best auspices. Coming off a year that was largely devoid of excitement – the only bright spot was the Conference League semi-final – and ended with an anonymous eighth place in the league that will not allow them to play in the European cups, the Foxes have not yet made any incoming operations. Despite the fact that the market has been open for more than a month, there is total immobility around the King Power Stadium. A situation that begins to worry coach Brendan Rodgers, who a few days ago was forced to say goodbye to starting goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel – one of the last ‘heroes’ of the 2016 title – who moved to Nice.
In England, they claim that the disposals do not end with the Danish goalkeeper: should the right offer arrive, the Thai ownership would be willing to deprive themselves of other jewels such as Fofana, Tielemans – always in Arsenal’s sights – and Maddison. In short, to date Leicester do not seem to be able to improve on last year’s result, as there are teams around better equipped than the Foxes to cross the European finish line.
Rodgers is, however, refreshed by a fine pre-season, in which his side won four in a row against Hull City, Derby County, Preston and Sevilla. Their Premier League journey begins against Brentford, who last season managed to achieve an unhoped-for salvation, moreover with several rounds in advance. The Bees, who have confirmed Danish coach Thomas Frank, seem to have a good chance of doing so again this time around, at the very least after an interesting buying campaign. Yes, Christian Eriksen is gone but Aaron Hickey and Thomas Strakosha have arrived from Bologna and Lazio respectively, as well as former Burnley man Ben Mee and youngster Keane Lewis-Potter from Hull City.
How to watch Leicester-Brentford live on TV and streaming
Thomas Frank ©️Ansafoto
The match between Leicester and Brentford, scheduled for 3pm on Sunday, will not be shown on live TV or streaming. The rights to the competition are held by Sky, but the well-known platform has chosen to prioritise other matches.
The prediction
A balanced match looms at the King Power Stadium, between two teams who have changed little since last season. Brentford appear slight underdogs but will not travel to the Midlands to play the sacrificial victim and could create several dangers for Rodgers’ team. Both are likely to score at least one goal each.
Leicester-Brentford
the likely line-ups.
LEICESTER (3-4-2-1): Iversen; Amartey, Fofana, Evans; Justin, Ndidi, Tielemans, Castagne; Maddison, Iheanacho; Vardy.
BRENTFORD (4-3-3): Raya; Henry, Jansson, Mee, Hickey; Janelt, Jensen, Norgaard; Wissa, Toney, Mbeumo.
