Leicester City caused a major shock when the club (managed by Claudio Ranieri) won the Premier League in May 2016. Tragedy struck when the chairman and owner, Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, was killed in a helicopter crash after a league game in October 2018 and his son, Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha, replaced him.
Brendan Rodgers was appointed as manager in February 2019 and the Foxes enjoyed some success under him, including winning the F.C. Cup for the first time in May 2021. Rodgers left in April 2023 (with the Fixes in the relegation zone) and Leicester were relegated to the Championship at the end of the season. The club was immediately promoted back to the Premier League, finishing as Champions of the Championship. Enzo Maresca, who had been appointed as manager, left Leicester in the summer to join Chelsea. The Foxes were relegated again to the Championship in April 2025.
Leicester City was given a 6 points deduction in February 2026, for breaching the EFL's profit and sustainability rules by £20.8 million, over the three-year period up to and including the 2023-24 season. The club was also found to have been in breach of Premier League rules by not providing their annual accounts to the league by the specified deadline. Leicester City now sit in 23rd place in the relegation places as the result of the 6 point deduction.
Leicester had been expected to be challenging for promotion, but had already had a poor season under Marti Cifuentes (appointed in July 2025 and dismissed in January 2026). Gary Rowett was appointed as the new manager in February 2026 until the end of the season. Nigel Pearson, the late Craig Shakespeare (as Pearson’s assistant), Claudio Ranieri and Brendan Rogers have worked as head coaches both at Watford and Leicester.
Jamie Vardy made 500 appearances and scored 200 goals for the Foxes. Vardy used to regularly score against Watford, but moved on a free transfer on 1st September 2025 to Cremonese in Serie A. Some people have noticed a resemblance.
Leicester’s forwards include Jordan Ayew and Bobby Cordova-Reid (both signed from Fulham). Jeremy Monga is a highly-rated 16 year old winger, who made his debut in the Premier League last season and has come though Leicester’s youth academy. Hamza Choudhury is a defensive midfielder, who also came through Leicester’s youth academy and was on loan to Watford during the 2022-23 season. Harry Winks and Oliver Skipp are midfielders, both of whom who were signed from Tottenham Hotspur. Jannik Vestergaard is an experienced central defender, who joined from Southampton in 2021 and Jamaal Lascelles, another experienced central defender, joined from Newcastle on 3rd February 2026. Goalkeeper Asmir Begović (who is 38 years old) signed a one year contact with Leicester in July 2025, but Polish goalkeeper Jakub Stolarczyk has made more appearances this season.
Watford won 2-1 at the King Power Stadium in December when Maamma and Pollock scored the Hornets’ goals after James scored the opening goal for the Foxes. Watford will be missing eight players (including Maamma) due to injury. Pierre Ekwah started in midfield against Wrexham, but he was not yet fit enough to complete the entire game. However, Giorgi Chakvetadze does now appear to be back to his best. The starting line-up against Leicester is likely to be similar to that against Wrexham, but a number of players do appear to have fitness issues. Can Watford win two consecutive home games and keep in touch with the play-off positions?
Brendan Rodgers was appointed as manager in February 2019 and the Foxes enjoyed some success under him, including winning the F.C. Cup for the first time in May 2021. Rodgers left in April 2023 (with the Fixes in the relegation zone) and Leicester were relegated to the Championship at the end of the season. The club was immediately promoted back to the Premier League, finishing as Champions of the Championship. Enzo Maresca, who had been appointed as manager, left Leicester in the summer to join Chelsea. The Foxes were relegated again to the Championship in April 2025.
Leicester City was given a 6 points deduction in February 2026, for breaching the EFL's profit and sustainability rules by £20.8 million, over the three-year period up to and including the 2023-24 season. The club was also found to have been in breach of Premier League rules by not providing their annual accounts to the league by the specified deadline. Leicester City now sit in 23rd place in the relegation places as the result of the 6 point deduction.
Leicester had been expected to be challenging for promotion, but had already had a poor season under Marti Cifuentes (appointed in July 2025 and dismissed in January 2026). Gary Rowett was appointed as the new manager in February 2026 until the end of the season. Nigel Pearson, the late Craig Shakespeare (as Pearson’s assistant), Claudio Ranieri and Brendan Rogers have worked as head coaches both at Watford and Leicester.
Jamie Vardy made 500 appearances and scored 200 goals for the Foxes. Vardy used to regularly score against Watford, but moved on a free transfer on 1st September 2025 to Cremonese in Serie A. Some people have noticed a resemblance.
You must log in or register to see images
You must log in or register to see images
Leicester’s forwards include Jordan Ayew and Bobby Cordova-Reid (both signed from Fulham). Jeremy Monga is a highly-rated 16 year old winger, who made his debut in the Premier League last season and has come though Leicester’s youth academy. Hamza Choudhury is a defensive midfielder, who also came through Leicester’s youth academy and was on loan to Watford during the 2022-23 season. Harry Winks and Oliver Skipp are midfielders, both of whom who were signed from Tottenham Hotspur. Jannik Vestergaard is an experienced central defender, who joined from Southampton in 2021 and Jamaal Lascelles, another experienced central defender, joined from Newcastle on 3rd February 2026. Goalkeeper Asmir Begović (who is 38 years old) signed a one year contact with Leicester in July 2025, but Polish goalkeeper Jakub Stolarczyk has made more appearances this season.
Watford won 2-1 at the King Power Stadium in December when Maamma and Pollock scored the Hornets’ goals after James scored the opening goal for the Foxes. Watford will be missing eight players (including Maamma) due to injury. Pierre Ekwah started in midfield against Wrexham, but he was not yet fit enough to complete the entire game. However, Giorgi Chakvetadze does now appear to be back to his best. The starting line-up against Leicester is likely to be similar to that against Wrexham, but a number of players do appear to have fitness issues. Can Watford win two consecutive home games and keep in touch with the play-off positions?
Last edited:
