Having had a transfer request turned down on transfer deadline day, Riyad Mahrez is back available for Leicester – with Claude Puel insisting he will welcome the Algerian back. Adrien Silva is still pushing for a first Premier League start, while Robert Huth and Danny Simpson are fit again.
Kelechi Iheanacho could also be in line for a start, having scored four times in Leicester’s last two FA Cup matches. Riyad Mahrez’s absence was felt in the midweek defeat to Everton, and Leicester will hope to have the Algerian fit and firing as soon as possible having scored nine and assisted a further nine goals this season. He also seems to bring the best out of Jamie Vardy – Leicester’s top scorer has netted 12 times this season.
For Swansea, Andre Ayew, who returned from West Ham on deadline day, could go straight into the starting XI to spearhead the Swans’ attack with brother Jordan. Chelsea loanee Tammy Abraham also returned to the matchday squad in the win against Arsenal and will provide the Ayew brothers with competition up front, but is more likely to start on the bench again. After their recent wins, Leroy Fer is likely to continue in the middle in place of Tom Carroll.
Sam Clucas netted twice against Arsenal in Swansea’s surprise midweek win, while Jordan Ayew’s goal in that match was his eighth of the campaign – making him the Swans’ top scorer.
Swansea are unbeaten in their last six games. Their last two league games, however, have produced surprise wins against Liverpool and Arsenal. Swansea are in good form at the moment, but the cracks have shown in their away matches – for all their good recent home form, away from home they have been poor all season and three away draws in 2018 do not point to that improving.
Key for the Foxes will be whether Riyad Mahrez returns and, if he does, whether he recaptures his best form despite seeing his attempt to force through a deadline-day move fall through. If Mahrez ticks, and Jamie Vardy continues his goalscoring form, it will be hard to look past another Leicester win in a fixture they have come to dominate.
Andre Ayew adds firepower for the visitors, and his partnership with brother Jordan will be key to the Swans’ survival chances, but Leicester will be hopeful the return of Danny Simpson at right-back will bolster their defensive strength.
While they had very different results in midweek, both teams have made good starts to 2018 - Swansea are unbeaten in their last six, while Leicester's defeat to Everton was their first since the turn of the year. Home advantage is likely to be the key factor in this fixture.
Score Prediction: Leicester City 2-1 Swansea City
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