Prediction: Leicester City vs Newcastle United

Verdict: Both teams to score – No

Best Odds: 6/5

Bookmaker: Unibet

Two sides marking their return to Premier League duties on Boxing Day afternoon, Leicester will welcome Newcastle to the King Power.

Leicester City

Starting with the hosts, while Leicester might have opened the 2022/23 campaign in the midst of a real struggle, Brendan Rodgers’ side have come roaring back in some style. Only continuing to skyrocket their way up the Premier League table prior to the World Cup’s winter break, the one-time Liverpool boss should find the mood in his camp at a real high. Marking their return to action earlier in the week as they breezed their way to a 3-0 romp away at MK Dons while on EFL Cup action, the Foxes will be looking to keep up that momentum here. Likewise, last seen heading into the festive interval with a deserved 2-0 victory away at West Ham, Leicester have now lost just one of their previous eight domestic contests across all formats. With that purple patch stemming all the way back to October 8th, Rodgers’ men have also continued to impress with their defensive resolve. In fact, Leicester have conceded just a single strike on that eight-match flurry.

Team News

While James Maddison might have failed to make a single World Cup appearance with England this winter, James Maddison will lead Leicester’s attack. The ex-Norwich playmaker should be partnered by Jamie Vardy.

However, still dealing with long-term injury issues, Rodgers’ side will be without Ryan Bertrand, James Justin, Ricardo Pereira and Caglar Soyuncu on Boxing Day.

Newcastle United

As for the visitors, heading into the World Cup’s winter break with a stellar 1-0 victory at home against Chelsea, Newcastle are enjoying what has been a remarkable purple patch this season. Only continuing to gain a string of plaudits from across the Premier League, Eddie Howe’s high-flying squad now find themselves at the heart of a shock Champions League charge. Marking their return to top-flight action on Boxing Day sat third in the table, the Magpies will simply be calling on his side to carry on from where they left off last month. Extending on their own EFL Cup run earlier in the week as they claimed a 1-0 win at home against Bournemouth, Monday’s guests have lost just a single Premier League showdown this season. Looking to lay down another marker here, Howe’s men should also be boosted by their most recent meeting against the Foxes. It should be noted, when the two sides last faced off back on April 17th, Newcastle picked up a 2-1 victory at St. James’ Park.

Team News

Featuring for England in their World Cup adventure in Qatar this winter, attacking talisman Callum Wilson will spearhead Newcastle’s charge on Boxing Day. The former Bournemouth striker should be joined in attack by Miguel Almiron.

However, Howe has confirmed that the likes of Alexander Isak, Emil Krafth, Matt Ritchie, and Paul Dummett will once again miss out on Monday afternoon.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides last faced off back on April 17th, Newcastle picked up a 2-1 victory at St. James’ Park.
• The Magpies have won two of their last three Premier League meetings against Leicester.
• Monday’s guests have lost just a single Premier League matchup throughout the 2022/23 campaign.
• However, Leicester have lost just one of their previous eight domestic matchups across all formats.
• Rodgers’ side have also conceded just a single strike on that eight-match run.

Conclusion

While the mood in both Leicester and Newcastle’s camps might be at a real high as they return to Premier League duties on Boxing Day, neutrals could be treated to a low-scoring affair here. With both of Monday’s opponents extending on their respective EFL Cup adventures earlier in the week, they have also gained a real reputation for their continued defensive resolve. Along with Leicester conceding just a single strike in their previous eight domestic contests, it should also be noted that Newcastle have shipped just 11 top-flight strikes this season – the joint-best defensive tally in England’s top-tier.

Verdict: Both teams to score – No

Best Odds: 6/5

Bookmaker: Unibet