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Leicester City predicted XI vs Brighton as Ruud van Nistelrooy forced into big change - opinion

Leicester City take on Brighton and Hove Albion in a Premier League clash on Sunday afternoon.

The Foxes are looking to build on their excellent start under new boss Ruud van Nistelrooy, which began with a 3-1 win over West Ham United.

Leicester City climbed up to 14th in the Premier League table with that victory but will still be wary of the sides below them.

The Hammers were far from their best in midweek as this gameweek’s opponents are expected to prove a much tougher test.

Brighton and Hove Albion are currently sat fifth in the top flight ahead of the weekend, just three points adrift of Manchester City.

Paul Merson has predicted Leicester to lose against Brighton, which is not too surprising given Van Nistelrooy will be without a key player for the clash.

Ruud van Nistelrooy, Manager of Leicester City, interacts with Facundo Buonanotte of Leicester City during the Premier League match between Leicest...

Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images

Leicester City team and injury news vs Brighton and Hove Albion

Facundo Buonanotte will be unavailable for this weekend’s game as he is currently on loan from the Seagulls and is ineligible to play against his parent club.

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Buonanotte has been one of Leicester’s star players this season and his absence is sure to hamper the Foxes in their attempts to cause an upset at the Amex.

Ricardo Pereira and Abdul Fatawu are both long-term absentees and will miss the trip down south.

The former is out for around four months while there is no chance we will see Fatawau line out in a Leicester shirt again this season.

Harry Winks is a doubt for the game as well after picking up an issue in Steve Cooper’s last game in charge against Chelsea last month.

He has missed the following two matches and Van Nistelrooy will likely provide a fresh update on him in his pre-match press conference.

Leicester City's Patson Daka (centre) celebrates scoring his side's third goal with team mates Bobby De Cordova-Reid (left) and Stephy Mavididi dur...

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Predicted Leicester City lineup vs Brighton

With Buonanotte missing out, Ruud will be forced to rejig his forward line for the Brighton clash.

Jamie Vardy should keep his place up top, though Van Nistelrooy’s fondness for Patson Daka opens the door for him to come into the team at some point.

Behind Vardy, Bilal El Khannouss and Kasey McAteer should keep their places in the eleven but we could see Stephy Mavididi handed a rare start on the left wing with El Khannouss operating behind the striker.

Unless Winks recovers from his injury in time, Wilfred Ndidi and Boubakary Soumare will start at the base of midfield.

The backline is also expected to look very similar to the one that, for the most part, kept West Ham at bay.

Here’s how we think Leicester will line up against Brighton on Sunday.

Hermansen (GK)

Justin

Coady

Vestergard

Kristiansen

Ndidi

Soumare

McAteer

El Khannouss

Mavididi

Vardy

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