Verdict: Leicester City win
Best Odds: 3/5
Bookmaker: Bet365
Looking to extend on their very eye-catching start to the new Premier League campaign, a resurgent Leicester will welcome Newcastle to the King Power Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Leicester City
Starting with the hosts, after empathically booking their spot in the fourth round of this year’s EFL Cup courtesy of a 4-0 win away at Championship outfit Luton Town, the mood around the King Power continues to rise. Also battling from a goal behind to clinch a 2-1 victory over Spurs last weekend, Brendan Rodgers has seen his side climb to third in the standings, only behind Manchester City and Liverpool. With many believing that the former Celtic boss can guide the Foxes to a European finish this season, Leicester have lost just one of their opening six Premier League appearances, with that sole defeat against Manchester United their first loss across any format since the 6th of May. A huge part of the Blues’ recent resurge has come thanks to their continued displays on home soil. Including back-to-back victories over Bournemouth and Tottenham, Sunday’s hosts are unbeaten in their last six matches in Leicestershire, a run that has also seen them take points off of Arsenal and Chelsea.
Team News
Leicester midfielder James Maddison is a doubt after taking a blow to his ankle in the win over Tottenham. Long-term absentee Matty James is continuing his recovery from Achilles surgery.
Newcastle
As for the visitors, while Leicester might be enjoying a battle at the top half of the table, Newcastle find themselves in a very different position. Largely outplayed by Brighton last weekend and managing to just scrape a 0-0 draw at St. James’ Park, a large section of fans in the North East are are still furious with Steve Bruce’s arrival over the summer. With the former Sunderland boss watching his side now fail to win any of their last four matches across all competitions, the Magpies hold just a one-point buffer from slipping into the drop zone. A huge part of Newcastle’s continued struggles at the start of the 2019/2020 campaign has come down to their toothless displays in the final third. Drawing a blank at St. James’ last weekend, Sunday’s guests have bagged just four goals so far this season, no side in the top-flight holds a worse attacking return.
Team News
Newcastle head coach Steve Bruce has confirmed that injury doubts Andy Carroll, Sean Longstaff, and Allan Saint-Maximin have all been passed fit. DeAndre Yedlin is also in the squad after five months out following groin surgery.
Key Factors to Consider
- The last three matches between the two sides have produced under 2.5 goals at full-time.
- Leicester have lost just one of their opening six Premier League matches this season.
- Newcastle have won just two of their last nine Premier League appearances.
- The Magpies have, however, won their last two trips to the King Power Stadium.
- Leicester have suffered just one defeat in their last nine Premier League home games (W6 D2).
Conclusion
On paper, Leciester should see this as a golden opportunity to extend their European push this weekend. Coming off the back of a very eye-catching performance in their 2-1 win over Spurs last weekend and showing some real strengths at the King Power, we’re backing Brendan Rodgers’ men to capitalize on the worrying atmosphere in Newcastle’s camp.
Verdict: Leicester City win
Best Odds: 3/5
Bookmaker: Bet365
- Soccer News Like
- Be the first of your friends!
