Premier League champions Leicester can put their domestic struggles to one side this week when they visit Sevilla for the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie on Wednesday (7.45pm kick-off).

Claudio Ranieri’s side won their group earlier in the season with four wins from their six games, and their displays in the competition were similar to those that won them the Premier League title last season.

However, those displays have not been translated into their title defence, which currently sees the Foxes 17th in the table having won only five of their 25 league games this term.

Nonetheless, Wednesday night gives them an opportunity to forget their league troubles, although they’ll have their work cut-out against Spanish side Sevilla, who are sitting third in La Liga this season and have won seven of their last nine league matches.

The three-times Europa League winners will certainly go into Wednesday’s clash as favourites, but Ranieri’s men have proven their credentials in the Champions League this term, and will fancy their chances of getting a result.

After losing 1-0 at Millwall in the FA Cup on Saturday, the Leicester boss may make some changes to his side, so here are THREE players who deserve a chance against Sevilla on Wednesday…

Wilfred Ndidi

Nigerian international Wilfred Ndidi signed for Leicester last month for £17 million from Genk, and he’s made a solid start to life in English football.

The 20-year-old midfielder has started five Premier League games since his arrival and, although he is yet to win any of them, he has shown promise in the midfield area, and scored a stunning goal to help the Foxes knock Derby out of the FA Cup earlier this month.

Leicester will need some steel and resilience in the midfield area against Sevilla, such is the Spanish side’s quality in the middle, and given that he is eligible to play despite appearing for Genk in the Europa League earlier this term, he has to start for the Foxes on Wednesday.

Demarai Gray

Leicester have looked toothless going forward for a while now, with the likes of Jamie Vardy and Shinji Okazaki completely out of form and confidence.

However, the Foxes have at times looked better when the pacey and talented winger Demarai Gray is on the pitch, and that should be an option Ranieri explores against Sevilla, as he could provide them with a great option on the counter attack.

The 20-year-old produced a man-of-the-match display to help get past Derby in the FA Cup earlier this month, and was one of a handful of Leicester players who played well in their defeat at Swansea nine days ago.

Gray’s pace could be a real asset to Ranieri on Wednesday, so he should get only a second Champions League start of the campaign in Seville.

Riyad Mahrez

Photo: Mark Leech

Ranieri spoke last week after their defeat at Swansea that he may have to drop those that helped them win the Premier League title last term, and Riyad Mahrez was likely one of those in the firing line.

The Algerian international has managed just three goals and two assists in 23 Premier League appearances this term, and has been nowhere near the level that saw him crowned PFA Player of the Year last season.

However, the 26-year-old does possess genuine quality, and netted four times in their group stage campaign earlier in the season, so clearly knows how to find the net in European competition.

Mahrez must up his level, but he is capable of doing so, and going away to Sevilla, where they really need the Algerian, could be exactly what he and Leicester need to get their season back on track.