Leicester City vs Tranmere Rovers: EFL Cup Preview, Lineups & Live Updates

The Foxes, entering a competition they have won on three occasions, take on the Sky Bet League 2 outfit at King Power Stadium on Tuesday night (7:45pm kick-off), with a place in the third round at stake.

Supporters can follow all of the action through Foxes Hub, with Matchday Live starting an hour ahead of kick-off, broadcast on LCFC.com, YouTube and Facebook.

Former Foxes Iwan Roberts and Matt Elliott will join host Dan Bates in the studio to preview the tie, before Gerry Taggart and commentator John Dunn, situated in the Filbert Way pressbox, provide audio commentary, talking through proceedings across the 90 minutes.

With half-time and full-time reaction also to come back in the studio, there will be comprehensive coverage of the cup tie across the evening, as Leicester look to secure a maiden win of the new campaign.

Predicted Lineups

It is notoriously difficult to accurately predict an opening EFL Cup lineup. A lot depends upon the priorities of the King Power side going into the tournament: do they care about their performances and do they want to rest key players for Premier League fixtures. The Welshman will have a lot to think about ahead of the match.

Compounding the complications are the existing injury news. As we know, Jamie Vardy returned early upon his own request at the Tottenham Hotspur opening tie which ended in a draw, but four remain doubtful or out entirely. Striker Patson Daka, left-back Luke Thomas, centre-back Conor Coady, and goalkeeper Jakub Stolarczyk are all highly unlikely to feature.

At least all four are not starters. However, the main issue is that we do not really want to be using up EPL starters in the EFL if we can help it: especially not against Tranmere Rovers. They are obviously not a terrible side, but they are one you expect Leicester to field a reduced squad to face. This does give the Foxes a chance to try out some players who are getting little to no game time in the league though.

That is exactly what I think Steve Cooper will do. The pride of the East Midlands is a club with a fairly good squad, a strong youth setup, and plenty of players to fill in where EPL starters are not needed. It could also act as a time for the new signings to be given a real opportunity. The Welshman will rest key players for the Aston Villa game instead of risking them.

Between the sticks, Cooper may simply opt to keep Mads Hermansen for the stability and stylistic fit the Dane provides Leicester City. However, we shall go with Danny Ward for this predicted XI, as the Welsh ‘keeper has been on the bench for our Premier League outings while Daniel Iversen has vanished from view - probably on the verge of an exit.

At the back, a back four will be employed. Ricardo Pereira (hopefully finally), Ben Nelson, Caleb Okoli, and James Justin should make up the defence. I cannot see anyone else being dropped into left-back beyond ‘JJ’ unless a youngster is brought into the starting XI or Thomas returns early. The Portuguese right-back would be a massive loss to not see feature.

In midfield, Harry Winks will hopefully be rested. Boubakary Soumare, Hamza Choudhury, and Will Alves (or Michael Golding) will probably make up the trio. I could also see Oliver Skipp starting instead of Alves and ‘Bouba’ being the more advanced midfield option. Alves however does need to get some opportunities at some point.

Up front, the line-up should be pretty much Stephy Mavididi - who has not started an EPL fixture - Jordan Ayew, and Kasey McAteer. I would be confused to see Bobby De-Cordova Reid, Jamie Vardy, and Abdul Fatawu starting in the cup in these early stages. Cooper should be opting for those not required for the Midlands rivals.

The Foxes could alter from this a little if the Welshman desperately wants to progress far in the opening stages of the EFL Cup. If so, Skipp, Wout Faes, and Winks will probably come into the XI over their counterparts. Which players do you think will be in the starting XI? Let Foxes of Leicester know through our social media channels.

Leicester City Team News: Confirmed Lineup

Caleb Okoli has been handed his Leicester City debut with Steve Cooper making eight changes for the Carabao Cup tie against Tranmere.

The £15m summer signing from Atalanta partners Wout Faes in defence, the Belgian one of three players to keep their spot. Faes has been the subject of rumours in recent days that he is unhappy at City and hoping to leave before the end of the week.

Harry Winks and Wilfred Ndidi also keep their places, with Ndidi set to push forward into the number 10 role, with Oliver Skipp coming in for his full debut. Jordan Ayew also gets his full debut, starting up front.

At full-back, there are first appearances of the season for Ricardo Pereira and Luke Thomas, while Kasey McAteer and Stephy Mavididi make their first starts of the season on the wings. In goal, Danny Ward is handed his first appearance for the club since a defeat to Chelsea in March 2023.

On the bench, there is a surprise appearance for Conor Coady, who has recovered more quickly than suggested from a hamstring injury. Will Alves has been included in a matchday squad for the first time this season, while young striker Chris Popov is on the bench. He would be making his debut for the club if he features.

City (4-2-3-1): Ward; Ricardo, Faes, Okoli, Thomas; Winks, Skipp; McAteer, Ndidi, Mavididi; Ayew. Subs: Iversen, Justin, Coady, Nelson, Choudhury, Fatawu, De Cordova-Reid, Alves, Popov.

A Look at Tranmere Rovers

Tranmere Rovers FC, is a team that has not been as fortunate as their opponents Leicester City FC. In 140 years. Tranmere Rovers has not had any interesting or outstanding moments throughout its long history. They have struggled forever to stay in League One, and in the event, when relegated, to seek promotion back to League One. In 140 years they have not even known what it is like to be in the second tier of British soccer. Of course, no one has said that it is easy to be at the top of English soccer. What can be highlighted in a very positive way for this team is its loyal fans, who accompany the team in good times and bad. They have never stopped cheering in any match in more than 100 years. And that is something gratifying for any soccer team and player.

If we talk about the team's most recent performance. It can be noted that they are in League Two, a league that has become difficult for them in the last 5 years, as they have not been able to get out of that league. In fact, they have not even come close. Last year, they finished in 16th position out of 24. Nothing further away from promotion to League One.

Leicester City's Recent Form & Historical Advantage

Although Leicester is in the Premiership, and has a rich modern history, as I mentioned above, the team doesn't really look like a favorite, as in the last 5 matches, they have only managed 1 draw, the other 4 they have lost (between league and friendlies). Really negative numbers for the fox team. Unlike their opponents, Tranmere Rovers FC, who have won 2, drawn 2 and lost only 1 of the last 5 matches played.

However, Google Sports, throws in their win data that, the clear favorite of the match is Leicester City FC, having in their favor 1 win in the last meeting they had with the opponent last year. While Tranmere Rovers FC, has a resounding 0 as favorite on that platform, as they lost in the last meeting against the fox team in the EFL Cup. I really don't seem to see a clear outlook for the match. Adding excitement and intensity to what can happen in today's match.

Undoubtedly, this is going to be a match that can only be defined on the pitch, leaving aside what any statistics say, especially knowing that it does not leave a clear favorite.

Historically, Leicester has beaten Tranmere in most meetings. In fact, the last meeting was in 2023, in this same tournament. In that match, Leicester overcame Tranmere 2-1. In addition to the above, it should be noted that in the last 16 years they have had 3 more encounters than in 2023 in the EFL Cup. Leicester have won 2 out of 3, by more than 2 goals. All this highlights that historically Leicester has been superior to Tranmere (winning 3 games out of 4 played). Will Tranmere Rovers FC manage to turn the historical tide? Or, on the contrary, will Leicester City FC continue to maintain its supremacy?

Matchday Live Coverage

Good afternoon to all VAVEL readers! Welcome to the live broadcast of the Leicester City FC vs Tranmere Rovers FC match, corresponding to the EFL Cup 2024. The match will take place at the King Power Stadium, at 12:45 pm (CDMX). Don't miss any details of the match with VAVEL Mexico's minute-by-minute live online coverage.