Leicester v Tottenham – Preview, Predictions and Best Bets

Leicester host Tottenham at the King Power Stadium in the Premier League on Thursday night. Both sides tried to get this match postponed due to a COVID-19 outbreak but their pleas fell on deaf ears. The hosts are beset by injuries whilst Spurs are playing for the first time in 11 days. This is one match where it makes sense to wait for the starting XI’s to be released before placing your bets.

Leicester Form

A resounding 4-0 win in their last match against Newcastle pushed Leicester up to 8th in the table. They have lost six of their 16 matches at this stage though. After a 3-0 home defeat to Chelsea, they bounced back to beat Watford 4-2. A 2-2 draw at Southampton and 2-1 defeat at Aston Villa followed.

Their last two matches have seen elimination from the Europa League after losing 3-2 to Napoli and then the fine win against Newcastle. They had only eight shots in the match and 47% possession but were ruthless in taking their chances.

Leicester Team News

The Foxes have loads of injuries to contend with. Long-term injured Wesley Fofana and James Justin are still out. Jonny Evans and Caglar Soyuncu are ruled out with injury and Daniel Amartey and Jannik Vestergaard have COVID-19. Rodgers may need to use Wilfred Ndidi in the middle of a back three alongside Timoty Castagne and Ryan Bertrand.

Ayoze Perez, Ademola Lookman and Kelechi Iheanacho are also said to be ill. Patson Daka could start alongside Jamie Vardy if a 3-5-2 formation is used.

Leicester Motivation

Leicester look likely to try to be solid and quite defensive against Spurs, especially if they use a back five. Whether they’re equipped to defend is another story. Rodgers would probably take a draw from this match if offered it now.

Spurs Form

After a poor start to the season under Nuno Espirito Santo, things are looking up under Antonio Conte. He inherited a side who had just lost 3-0 to Man Utd and looked to make them more solid right away in a 3-4-3 formation. A dull 0-0 draw at Everton was followed by a comeback 2-1 home win against Leeds.

Although a 2-1 Europa Conference League loss to Mura came next, Spurs have won their two subsequent league matches to make it three on the bounce under Conte. A 2-0 home win against Brentford was followed by a convincing 3-0 home win against Norwich. Tottenham had just 40.8% ball possession but had seven shots on target from 17 attempts.

Spurs Team News

Antonio Conte revealed that his side had nine COVID-19 cases but that three of those players would be back on the bench for this match. Christian Romero is out injured whilst all of Son, Olivier Skipp, Emerson Royal, Ben Davies and Pierre-Emile Højbjerg (injury) are said to be ruled out from starting XI contention.

Harry Winks and Tanguy Ndombele could start in central midfield whilst Dele Alli and Steven Bergwijn are options to replace Son in attack. Matt Doherty or Japhet Tanganga will play as the right wingback.

Spurs Motivation

Spurs will see the depleted Leicester defence and fancy their chances of a win. Conte’s side have largely had less, or even much less, of the ball possession than their opponents since he took over.

Motivation will be high after an 11 day gap without playing. Kane will also want to start scoring again against one of his favourite opposition teams.

Key Stats

Leicester have lost 3 of their last 7 matches (all comps)

LCFC have 2 wins and 2 defeats in their last 4 home PL matches (13 conceded in last 5)

Leicester have conceded in 6 of their last 7 home PL matches

Tottenham have won their last 3 PL matches

Spurs have scored 2+ goals in their last 3 PL matches

Since Leicester returned to the PL in 2014, their 14 meetings with Tottenham have produced 54 goals

Spurs’ Kane has scored 11 goals in his last 8 matches vs Leicester

Tottenham are averaging 1.8 goals per game in the PL under Conte (0.9 under Nuno)

st 1 of their last 14 away PL matches (W10, D3)

Verdict

This match is hard to call until we see the starting XI’s. Leicester’s makeshift defence surely won’t hold Spurs at bay but they have enough to score themselves. In-running bets could be a great idea in this one once we see how the teams are playing.

Best Bet: Both teams to score at 1.64

Alternative Bet: Tottenham win at 2.90

Multiple Leg: Tottenham win/draw double chance + over 1.5 goals at 2.10

Goalscorer Tip: Harry Kane anytime scorer at 2.30

James O'Connor

James is a football analyst who writes about the tactics of the PSL and English Premier League. He holds the UEFA A coaching licence and has previously worked for several clubs in analysis roles.Twitter: https://twitter.com/footy_analysis