Verdict: Martin Odegaard over 0.5 shots on target
Best Odds: 10/11
Bookmaker: Luckster
Seeking an immediate response on Saturday lunchtime, Arsenal will travel to the King Power when they meet Leicester.
Leicester City
Starting with the hosts, while Leicester might have mounted a sensational second-half comeback away at Tottenham last month as they snatched a 2-1 victory, that might have just been a minor boost for the Foxes. Suffering last-gasp heartbreak away at Manchester United last weekend as they suffered a 2-1 loss at Old Trafford, Ruud van Nistelrooy’s men find themselves at the heart of a relegation scrap. Getting February underway with an infamous 4-0 drumming at the hands of Everton, Leicester are pencilled in as a leading contender to be hit with an immediate Championship return. Losing nine of their previous 10 meetings against Premier League opposition across all competitions, Saturday’s hosts have also gained an unwanted reputation for their glaring defensive struggles. Shipping 53 goals in their 24 top-flight appearances this season, the Foxes will be bracing themselves for a heavyweight challenge here.
Leicester City Team News
All still dealing with respective injury issues, Leicester will once again be without the likes of Issahaku Fatawu, Harry Souttar and Portuguese defender Ricardo Pereira. However, making a timely return away at Old Trafford last week, Wilfred Ndidi should make a first Premier League appearance since December 8th.
Handed a full FA Cup rest against Manchester United, 38-year-old Jamie Vardy will make a full return and lead the line. Recently returning from an injury issue, Danish goalkeeper Mads Hermansen will start between the sticks this weekend.
Arsenal
As for the visitors, watching their EFL Cup adventure come to an end on February 5th as they fell to a 4-0 aggregate defeat against Newcastle, Arsenal are facing the real prospect of ending this season without a single piece of silverware. Watching their stellar four-match winning run come to an abrupt end at St. James’ Park last time out, Mikel Arteta’s men know the importance of claiming an immediate response here. Facing what appears to be a must-win showdown on Saturday lunchtime, the Gunners will be excited by a dominant record against the relegation scrappers. Landing an action-packed 4-2 win when they welcomed Leicester to north London for their reverse Premier League meeting on September 28th, Arsenal are rightfully pencilled in as a landslide contender here. It should also be noted, Arteta’s side have won their last four straight trips to the King Power by an aggregate score of 8-1.
Arsenal Team News
While attacking talisman Bukayo Saka might be inching towards a return after undergoing hamstring surgery back in December, the England international will not feature here. Likewise, the Gunners have confirmed that former Manchester City striker Gabriel Jesus will miss the remainder of the season.
Sustaining a reported muscle injury while away training in Dubai earlier in the week, Kai Havertz will miss out at the King Power. Enjoying what has been a sensational rise to superstardom, Myles Lewis-Skelly will start at left-back.
Leicester City vs Arsenal Key Factors to Consider
- When Leicester and Arsenal met for their reverse Premier League meeting on September 28th, the Gunners collected a 4-2 win in north London.
- Arsenal have won each of their previous six consecutive meetings against Saturday’s hosts.
- Leicester have lost nine of their previous 10 meetings against Premier League opposition.
- The Foxes have lost each of their last four Premier League showdowns at the King Power by an aggregate score of 9-0.
- Arsenal have won their last four trips to Leicester by an aggregate score of 8-1.
Conclusion
Suffering major EFL Cup frustration away at St. James’ Park last time out, Arsenal are seeking an immediate response here. Landing an action-packed 4-2 victory when they welcomed Leicester to north London for their reverse meeting on September 28th, Arteta’s men will be excited by a dominant record against the relegation scrappers. Winning each of their previous four trips to the King Power by an aggregate score of 8-1, Arsenal are desperate to avoid what would be a major banana skin on Saturday lunchtime.
Verdict: Martin Odegaard over 0.5 shots on target
Best Odds: 10/11
Bookmaker: Luckster
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