Prediction: Leicester City vs Newcastle

Verdict: Away win

Best odds: 11/25

Bookmaker: ZetBet

A relegation-threatened Leicester City side risk suffering an unprecedented eighth straight Premier League home defeat when Newcastle United arrive at the King Power Stadium on Monday evening.

Ruud van Nistelrooy’s men fell to a 2-0 loss against Manchester City in midweek, while this season’s Carabao Cup winners strengthened their top-four hopes with a narrow 2-1 win over Brentford.

Leicester City

Continuing the dismal form they showed before the international break, Leicester City’s midweek visit to the Etihad ended just as expected — with defeat and no goals to show for their efforts.

Foxes fans would have winced as Jack Grealish, goalless in the Premier League all season, struck just two minutes in, before Omar Marmoush punished another trademark defensive lapse to seal a routine 2-0 win for the champions.

While Leicester cannot mathematically be relegated this weekend – unlike bottom-placed Southampton – their return to the Championship looks increasingly inevitable, especially given recent form.

Wednesday’s loss marked their eighth straight defeat in all competitions, with Van Nistelrooy’s side scoring just once in that period. Now, they are at risk of making unwanted history by becoming the first team in English Football League history to lose eight consecutive home league games without scoring. They could also suffer 11 home defeats in a single season for the first time ever.

Team News

Injury-wise, only long-term absentee Abdul Fatawu – sidelined with a serious knee injury – is unavailable, but midfielder Harry Winks was a surprise omission against Man City. Reports suggest a fallout with Van Nistelrooy over his 100-mile commute led to his exclusion, and it remains uncertain whether the issue will be resolved in time for Monday’s match.

Few Foxes impressed in midweek – Jamie Vardy among those who struggled – but the veteran striker is still expected to lead the line and wear the captain’s armband from the start.

Newcastle

As Leicester aim to avoid the ignominy of an eighth consecutive home defeat, Newcastle are chasing an eighth Premier League away win of the season – a feat they’ve only achieved four times in the top flight since 1992.

Fresh off a fortnight’s rest – at least for those not on international duty – the Magpies returned to action by ending Brentford’s impressive away run in midweek. Alexander Isak reached the 20-goal mark in the top flight, and Sandro Tonali added to the scoreline with a stunning long-range effort.

With games in hand on their top-four rivals, Newcastle’s Champions League hopes are still within their own control, and they’ve built a solid record against newly-promoted sides. Eddie Howe’s men have won their last six Premier League matches against teams promoted the previous season and have only lost once in their last 18 such contests – not promising for Leicester.

Moreover, Newcastle are unbeaten in five meetings with the Foxes across all competitions, winning four of those, including December’s 4-0 rout at St James’ Park.

Team News

Whether Isak will be fit to feature at the King Power remains to be seen, as the striker is one of several doubts for Howe. Kieran Trippier (groin), Anthony Gordon (leg), Joelinton (knee), and Matt Targett (illness) are all in the same uncertain category, while Sven Botman (knee), Jamaal Lascelles (knee), and Lewis Hall (foot) are all definitely out.

If Gordon is not ready to return – despite his suspension now being over – former Leicester winger Harvey Barnes is set to start on the left flank against his old club, where he registered 45 goals and 32 assists in 187 appearances.

Conclusion

Newcastle may arrive without the full force of their attacking department, but even a slightly depleted Magpies side should have enough to deepen Leicester’s misery and keep their top-four charge alive.

Van Nistelrooy once thrived on finding the net, but his current squad continues to fire blanks – a trend likely to continue on Monday night. By full-time, the Foxes could not only be staring down the barrel of another defeat but also find themselves etched into English football history for all the wrong reasons.

Verdict: Away win

Best odds: 11/25

Bookmaker: ZetBet