Leicester City vs Watford - Claudio Ranieri believes Watford mirror Foxes - 7M sport

Leicester City vs Watford - Claudio Ranieri believes Watford mirror Foxes



Posted Saturday, November 07, 2015 by PA

Leicester boss Claudio Ranieri believes there are startling similarities between his side and Saturday's opponents Watford.

The Foxes are third after six wins and one loss in their opening 11 games ahead of Saturday's clash with the Hornets at the King Power Stadium.

Leicester have a strong home record - their only defeats in 12 at home have been against title-chasing Chelsea last term and Arsenal - while Watford have one loss in six away from Vicarage Road, at Manchester City.

"It's a mirror, Leicester and Watford," Ranieri said.

"Like us, they are strong and they play very well in counter attack and press a lot."

Watford have improved in recent weeks and last week defeated a West Ham team which had a week before beaten champions Chelsea.

Ranieri is wary, with the Hornets improving under Quique Sanchez Flores, who succeeded the Italian at Valencia 10 years ago.

Of course the Foxes are improving too under Ranieri, who succeeded Nigel Pearson last summer.

The former Chelsea boss said: "Now arrives a very particular team.

"In the last six matches away they were very, very strong (losing once). Be careful. Beware.

"They are at the beginning, because they've been working together for three months. I'm sure will get better.

"They started not so well at the beginning. It's normal (when you) change the coach, change a lot of players.

"Now they are in very good condition. It will be a very interesting match."

Ranieri has no injury concerns to contend with, with Jamie Vardy poised to lead Leicester into the encounter looking to score in a ninth consecutive Premier League game, with few worries over an Achilles niggle.

Vardy is now chasing Ruud van Nistelrooy's record of netting in 10 straight games.

"He is a very good striker and he showed that last year," said Watford midfielder Etienne Capoue of Vardy.

"It was the first time I had seen him and he was very good.

"I am happy for him and he works so hard on the pitch. He deserves to be the top scorer in the league - but I hope he doesn't score on Saturday as I want us to win."

Capoue added: "Leicester will be a very good game and very tough. Their offensive players are so good.

"We need to stay together in defence and to find the space to score because it will be difficult to score there, as they are very good at home."

The presence of top scorer Odion Ighalo at Leicester will be a major boost for Watford.

Ighalo limped off with a dead leg in the win at West Ham after a heavy challenge from James Collins, but the Nigerian striker will be fit to face the high-flying Foxes.

Jose Manuel Jurado, who has not featured since September with a hamstring injury sustained in training, remains sidelined. Tommie Hoban (groin) and Joel Ekstrand (knee) are long-term absentees.



Attention: Third parties may advertise their products and/or services on our website.7M does not warrant the accuracy, adequacy or completeness of their contents.
Your dealings with such third parties are solely between you and such third parties and we shall not be liable in any way for any loss or damage of any sort incurred by you.