Preview: Leicester City vs. AEK Athens - prediction, team news, lineups

Leicester City will be aiming to secure top spot in Europa League Group G when they welcome AEK Athens to the King Power Stadium for matchday six.

In contrast, the visitors have only accrued three points from a possible 15 and the best that AEK Athens can hope for now is a third-placed finish.

Match preview

© Reuters

It just had to be Jamie Vardy for Leicester at Sheffield United, with the boyhood Sheffield Wednesday fan propelling the Foxes to victory at Bramall Lane with a last-gasp winner in a 2-1 triumph.

Before the 33-year-old delightfully curled an effort into the corner, Brendan Rodgers 's men had initially broken the deadlock through Ayoze Perez before Oli McBurnie 's header ensured that Leicester's lead was short-lived, but Vardy's winner ended a run of four games without a win for the Foxes.

Rodgers may be slightly concerned about his side's recent performances against two sides battling to stay clear of the dotted line, with the Foxes also suffering a dampening 2-1 defeat to Fulham at the King Power, but a positive result in the Europa League would do wonders for Leicester before the festive period.

The Premier League powerhouses seemed destined to head straight for top spot after three wins from their first three in Group G, but Rodgers's side have since played out an enthralling 3-3 draw with Braga before suffering a 1-0 defeat to Zorya Luhansk last week, with 19-year-old Allahyar Sayyadmanesh scoring a memorable winner against the Foxes in the dying embers.

Nevertheless, Leicester are already assured of a place in the last 32 and will finish top so long as they prevail on Thursday, with Braga level with the Foxes on 10 points but behind on head-to-head results.

© Reuters

In contrast, there is nothing but pride on the line for AEK Athens after a dismal Europa League campaign, in which the Greek giants have prevailed just once in Group G.

The manner of that victory was certainly convincing as they thrashed Zorya Luhansk 4-1 on their own turf, but Massimo Carrera 's side have come up short in their other four group-stage matches and sit bottom of the table as things stand.

Luhansk - who travel to Braga in the group's other game - are three points clear of AEK Athens in third, but can be usurped should they lose as AEK Athens have more goals on the road against the Ukrainian side, but Carrera's men would have to pull off an improbable shock at Leicester first and foremost.

AEK Athens saw their winning streak in the Greek Super League come to an abrupt end at the weekend as they lost 2-1 to Panathinaikos - a result which leaves them fourth in the fledgling table.

The first meeting between Leicester and AEK Athens back in October ended in a 2-1 win for the Foxes, with Vardy and Hamza Choudhury netting while Muamer Tankovic scored a consolation goal for this week's visitors.

Leicester City Europa League form: WWWDL

Leicester City form (all competitions): WLDLLW

AEK Athens Europa League form: WLLWLL

AEK Athens form (all competitions): WWLWLL

Team News

© Reuters

Rodgers defended his decision to bring in Caglar Soyuncu for last week's trip to Ukraine, even though the Turkish defender lasted just 17 minutes before being forced off with yet another injury.

Soyuncu is now expected to spend at least another few days on the sidelines, while Ricardo Pereira has also suffered an injury setback of his own and will be on the treatment table for up to a fortnight.

However, Wilfred Ndidi should start this one after coming off the bench at Bramall Lane, while Dennis Praet, Cengiz Under and Harvey Barnes are all set for recalls to Rodgers's starting lineup.

AEK Athens left-back Emmanuel Insua was cautioned for the third time in the tournament in last week's defeat to Braga and will serve a suspension on Thursday.

Seventeen-year-old Mario Mitaj could therefore be in line for a start at the King Power, but the more experienced Helder Lopes is also an option for Carrera.

Apart from the suspended Insua, AEK Athens have no other absentees for this dead rubber, meaning that the Greek side can afford to rotate with their league campaign in mind.

Leicester City possible starting lineup:

Schmeichel; Justin, Morgan, Evans, Thomas; Ndidi, Praet, Choudhury; Under, Iheanacho, Barnes

AEK Athens possible starting lineup:

Tsintosas; Paulinho, Nedelcearu, Hnid, Mitaj; Mantalos, Simoes, Szymanski; Albanis, Oliveira, Garcia

We say: Leicester City 3-1 AEK Athens

AEK Athens are definitely capable of breaching this Leicester defence, and knowing that Luhansk and Fulham both got results against the Foxes should give the visitors and injection of confidence. However, AEK Athens have nothing to play for in this one and the Foxes should be too strong at home against the Greek side, so we cannot see any other result than a routine win for Rodgers's men as they look to seal top spot in the group.

Top betting tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting a home win in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.