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Brendan Rodgers will want a response from his side following Leicester’s loss to Arsenal as they face Burnley at Turf Moor

Brendan Rodgers will want a response from his side following Leicester’s loss to Arsenal as they face Burnley at Turf Moor

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Leicester were soundly beaten by Arsenal at the King Power Stadium on the weekend, but a trip to Lancashire will be seen as a chance to make a quick recovery.

Brendan Rodgers’ side sit third in the league, a point behind Manchester United in second place and will hope defeat to the Gunners will not be the start of a shaky run of form.

Harvey Barnes will be missing for the Foxes after his knee injury, which will require surgery, and Jonny Evans will join him on the injury list with a calf injury.

“Part of the patellar is separated in the knee, that’s come away, so it’s just a repair job there and hopefully he can be back in six weeks.” Rodgers said.

The pair will join James Justin, James Maddison, Ayoze Perez, Wesley Fofana, Dennis Praet and Wes Morgan on a worryingly long list of players currently out injured, an issue that has plagued the club’s season so far.

As for the hosts, they have won three of their last four home games against Leicester, and will see this as a chance to react to their 4-0 loss at the hands of Jose Mourinho’s Tottenham in London.

There are no fresh injury concerns going into this one, although they look set to remain without Johann Berg Gudmundsson as he continues his recovery.

Sean Dyche’s side have looked quite passive and void of ideas at times when their initial game plan does not work, however, they will hope the defensive solidity that they are renowned for will be on show against a strong Leicester side.

Rodgers side have continued to play expansive football on the front foot but have adapted against varying opponents, with the potential to draw teams out of their low block and counter in behind if they find a stubborn defence in front of them.

It is a real clash of styles on show here and the Foxes will have to be on their A-game to ensure that they have the quality to break Burnley down, but the Clarets will not be without quality in the forward areas themselves.

Chris Wood came off the bench away at Spurs and his return to the side will be a big boost given their relative struggles to find the back of the net in recent times, Crystal Palace aside.

The rigid 4-4-2 that has worked well for Dyche throughout his time at Turf Moor has come under question recently with a lack of creativity or expression in the build up phase leaving them struggling to break teams down, with many opponents electing to stretch the play and find pockets of space inside their full backs.

Bournemouth executed this game plan perfectly in their recent FA Cup victory against Burnley and Leicester will more than likely adopt a similar approach if the game is still tight heading into the latter stages.

It is important for Rodgers that his side keep tabs on Manchester United in second place and do not start to drop off given the competition behind them for their Champions League spot.

They have ground out victories when they have needed to, most recently against Brighton at home and at Villa Park in a 2-1 victory, however, two defeats on the spin in all competitions has left questions at the manager’s door as to whether they can maintain consistency given the absentees from their squad.

Slavia Prague set up to counter Leicester in the transitional phases and were more than a match for a weakened side and Arsenal adapted similarly, finding that as a weak point to their game.

Burnley have the ability to frustrate teams and if Rodgers’ side start trying to force play and take more risks as time ticks by then you would not put it past the hosts to perform a smash and grab here.

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