Leicester City, under Brendan Rodgers, are gradually emerging as ‘top six’ contenders. The signs of improvement were in sight towards the closure of the previous campaign, but the Foxes’ climbing to third on the league ladder and in odds to remain in the Top Six must have surprised many in these early weeks.
While the Foxes have lost only once so far this season, Newcastle United are struggling deep down the standings with only one win till date. They might have surprised Tottenham Hotspur in North London by scripting a stunning 1-0 victory, but Steve Bruce was found lamenting the lack of chances in front of goal that denied them a win last weekend against Brighton & Hove Albion.
The Magpies will travel to East Midlands and lock horns with Leicester on Sunday evening and the hosts, having defeated Spurs on Saturday afternoon, would be aiming successive results at the King Power Stadium to keep chasing their European dream.
Team News
Leicester City
The Foxes had a major injury blow when majestic James Maddison seemed uncomfortable against the Lilywhites with a knock on his ankle. He is set to be sidelined for the Newcastle tie whereas Matthew James [calf] and Daniel Amartey [ankle] are working hard to get back into action having missed out months of football through injuries.
Newcastle United
Newcastle United, on the other hand, would be without Florian Lejeune [ankle] and Dwight Gayle [calf] who still need time to recover and regain match fitness. Matt Ritchie [ankle] has stepped up his recovery but is unlikely to be involved this weekend. Sean Longstaff [ankle], DeAndre Yedlin [groin] and Allan Saint-Maximin [thigh] are making steady progress and might be considered as options for the Leicester game.
Predicted Line-Ups
Leicester City (4-1-4-1)
Schmeichel; Pereira, Evans, Söyüncü, Chilwell; Ndidi; Perez, Tielemans, Choudhury, Barnes; Vardy
Newcastle United (5-4-1)
Dubravka; Krafth, Schar, Lascelles, Dummett, Willems; Almiron, Hayden, Longstaff, Atsu; Joelinton
Key Players
Leicester City – Jamie Vardy
James Maddison is a major doubt for the Magpies game (according to Sky Sports) and all the attention, therefore, would be on Jamie Vardy who has already fired in three goals while spearheading the Foxes attack. His movement in and around the box would be troublesome for the visitors.
Newcastle United – Joelinton
Although the best is yet to come from the Brazilian, his physicality, link-up play, ability to hold the ball before finding his teammates and hit back on the counter might test Leicester’s focus, resolve as well as composure against the run of play.
Last Meeting
The Magpies stunned Rodgers’ men back in April under the then chief Rafael Benitez. The fixture at King Power resulted in a 1-0 win for the visitors. Ayoze Perez, incidentally, netted the only goal of the game against his current employers.
Predicted Outcome
Leicester City 2 – 1 Newcastle United
In-form Leicester should secure a result at home and grab three more points from this contest to maintain their sheer brilliance before Rodgers’ Anfield return prior to next month’s international break.
