Our under-23s are back in Premier League 2 action on Monday as they travel to Holmes Park to face Leicester City.
THE STORY SO FAR
Freddie Ljungberg’s side head into this fixture in fine form, having defeated Liverpool 4-0 at Meadow Park last Friday - extending their unbeaten run to five Premier League 2 fixtures.
Bukayo Saka broke the deadlock with his first goal at under-23 level, before Eddie Nketiah hit a brace and Joe Willock rounded off the scoring with a late strike.
We haven’t lost since the opening day of the season in a 6-5 defeat to Manchester City - and if you include our 3-0 win over Coventry City in the Checkatrade Trophy, we haven’t conceded in more than 270 minutes of football.
THE OPPOSITION
Leicester City kicked off their PL2 season with three wins from their opening four fixtures, but they’ve since been held to back-to-back draws by Chelsea and Brighton & Hove Albion.
They currently sit just one place below us in the table, but they’re level with us on points and goal difference (W4, D2, L1).
Hamza Choudhury is an experienced member of the Foxes under-23 side, and has captained them in four of their six PL2 fixtures over the course of the season so far. He’s a physically-imposing midfielder with a calming presence on the ball and a wide passing range, as well as an easily distinguishable haircut.
ONE TO WATCH
Tyreece John-Jules is starting to cement his place as a regular at under-23 level, having played the entirety of our last three PL2 outings.
He scored his first goal under Ljungberg against Tottenham Hotspur in our 2-1 win at Emirates Stadium, but since then he’s been denied by the woodwork and a number of stunning saves. It’s surely only a matter of time before his fortunes turn.
With quick feet and a burst of pace, the young centre forward typically looks to play off the shoulder of the last defender - but despite still being 17, he’s also proven that he can play with his back to goal and handle the physicality of under-23s football.
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