Tottenham v Leicester – Preview, Predictions and Best Bets

Tottenham host Leicester at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday. Spurs play before Arsenal and can jump back into the top four with a win, prior to the Gunners facing West Ham. Tottenham have failed to have a shot on target in their last two matches but Harry Kane has 18 goals in 17 outings against The Foxes. Leicester are winless in four in all competitions and this one is sandwiched by two legs against Roma in the Europa Conference League semi-finals.

Tottenham Form

Spurs looked like favourites for the top four after putting together a run of six wins in seven league matches. The only dropped points in that period saw a 3-2 defeat to Man Utd in a match where they deserved at least a point. With 25 goals netted in that steak, Antonio Conte’s side were blowing teams away. Newcastle were thrashed 5-1 and a poor first half turned into a 4-0 win at Aston Villa.

That latter match saw Spurs outplayed for 45 minutes and perhaps proved to be a warning of where they stood. A 1-0 home loss to Brighton followed before a 0-0 draw against Brentford. Tottenham did not have a shot on target in each of those matches.

Tottenham Team News

The side has a few injuries to contend with as Japhet Tanganga and Oliver Skipp remain absent and Matt Doherty won’t play again this season after knee surgery. The team largely picks itself and not many changes are expected even after dropping four points in the last two games.

Sergio Reguilon could replace Ryan Sessegnon at left wingback. Dejan Kulusevski is one player who could be taken out of the firing line with Lucas Moura giving some fresh legs and impetus to get the side winning and scoring goals again.

Tottenham Motivation

Very high. Tottenham need to win and nothing less will do. They get to play before Arsenal and try to ramp up the pressure on their North London rivals.

Spurs struggle when teams play defensively against them but revel on the counterattack when teams open up. It’s not clear how Leicester will approach this.

Leicester Form

Leicester have improved of late and have lost just once in nine matches. However, they have drawn five of those and have won just three, none in the last four matches. In away Premier League matches, it’s just one win in 11 of their travels and six defeats in nine.

After winning 2-1 at PSV in the Europa League, they were beaten 2-1 at Newcastle after a last-minute goal was conceded. Their last three matches have seen draws – 1-1 at Everton as they conceded in the last minute, 0-0 at home to Aston Villa and 1-1 with Roma in their semi-final first leg.

Leicester Team News

Brendan Rodgers has a must smaller treatment room at the moment and has options in almost every position. Timothy Castagne misses out after a knock to the head against Roma so James Justin will come in. Ryan Bertrand and Wilfred Ndidi are out for the season.

Some rotation is likely ahead of the Roma second leg. Harvey Barnes could start and Wesley Fofana may not be risked twice in a week after his long-term injury, so Daniel Amartey or Caglar Soyuncu could replace him.

Leicester Motivation

The Foxes sit 10^th and could realistically finish as high as ninth or as low as 13^th. Their focus is elsewhere with a trip to Roma next Thursday after a 1-1 home draw in the first leg.

Rodgers may set up quite defensively in this one to cover Spurs’ counterattacks and would likely be quite happy to take a draw.

Key Stats

Spurs’ Kane has scored 18 goals in 17 apps against Leicester (all comps)

Spurs have won 7 of their last 10 PL matches against Leicester (L3)

Tottenham have won 6 of their last 9 PL matches

Leicester have lost 6 of their last 9 away PL matches (1 win in 11 on the road)

Leicester have seen Both Teams to Score Yes in their last 5 away matches in all comps

Verdict

Tottenham need a win here and are fully motivated. Leicester have distractions with a tie against Roma in midweek. Spurs should get the victory here that they need.

Best Bet: Tottenham (-1 spread) at 2.15

Alternative Bet: Tottenham win to zero at 2.65

Alternative Bet: Spurs win and Harry Kane to score first at 4.49

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