Leicester v Arsenal – Preview, Predictions and Best Bets

Leicester host Arsenal at the King Power Stadium on Sunday afternoon. The Foxes were knocked out of Europe on Thursday whilst the Gunners progressed with a late goal. Brendan Rodgers’ side will be looking to consolidate their top four place whilst Arsenal are 11 points off fourth and are probably going to see their league season peter out somewhat.

Leicester Form

Leicester have been a bit inconsistent of late with four wins, two defeats and three draws in their last nine matches in all competitions. They drew 0-0 away to Slavia Prague before losing the home leg 2-0 on Thursday to be eliminated from the Europa League.

In the Premier League, their form is strong with one defeat in 12, winning seven and drawing four of those. They’ve had some big recent wins as they took three points at home against both Chelsea and Liverpool and beat Aston Villa away last time out. They did also lose at home to Leeds at the end of January though. A lot of these big wins have come with James Maddison scoring and assisting so it is a concern that he is carrying an injury.

Leicester Team News

Brendan Rodgers has a lot of injuries to contend with right now. In defence, Wesley Fofana is out and James Justin’s season over due to a serious knee injury. In midfield, Dennis Praet is still absent and James Maddison is a big doubt due to a hip injury which has forced him to meet a specialist. It’s unlikely that he will play in this match but he could be risked.

Ayoze Perez is also missing in attack so Leicester’s options are much more limited than usual. Ricardo Pereira and Timothy Castagne were rested to the bench versus Slavia Prague and will both be fresh at fullback for this match. Harvey Barnes is also refreshed for this one having played just 30 minutes in the Europa League.

Leicester Motivation

Leicester will play to win this match but can use many different approaches. Rodgers can have his side set up to dominate possession but is more likely to sit back and play on the counter attack. If Maddison misses out, then it will be a more combative midfield selected without a number ten.

A draw would not be a disaster but is not a result that Rodgers will settle for at any point with just a six point buffer to fifth place in the table.

Arsenal Form

Arsenal are not in the best form and it’s hard to know what to expect from them. Their last nine matches have seen just three wins and they have lost four of those including away to Southampton (FA Cup), Wolves and Aston Villa.

Their last four matches have seen a 4-2 home victory against Leeds, a 1-1 draw away at Benfica, a 1-0 home defeat to Man City and then a 3-2 home victory against Benfica. They trailed 2-1 in that match before a late comeback.

Arsenal Team News

The only injury for Arsenal is to Rob Holding, who suffered concussion and missed the Benfica match. Mikel Arteta may give Thomas Partey a start after Dani Ceballos had a nightmare in midfield in midweek. Some rotation may be needed with someone like Bukayo Saka really due a rest. Willian “changed the game” against Benfica according to Arteta and may be handed a rare start here.

Aside from two or three changes, it will likely be a full strength side despite many players looking tired and having poor injury records.

Arsenal Motivation

Arsenal need a win to have any prayer of getting back into the Champions League qualification race. That looks a distant and unlikely goal so it’s possible that this match may not have full motivation for the side after their efforts in the Europa League. Winning that competition is a more likely route to the Champions League and it may be that the Premier League season peters out somewhat with focus on the Europa instead.

Key Stats

Leicester have won 3 of their last 4 PL matches

Leicester have lost 6 of their last 13 home PL matches

Leicester have won four of their last 6 PL matches against Arsenal (L1, D1)

Jamie Vardy has scored 11 goals in 12 matches against Arsenal

Arsenal have lost their last 3 away matches against Leicester

Arsenal have lost 3 of their last 6 matches

Arsenal have lost their last 5 matches after playing in the Europa League

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has scored 7 goals in his last 7 matches

Prediction

This would look like a certain Leicester win if James Maddison was definitely fit to play. Even without him, The Foxes should have enough to take victory against an Arsenal side with three losses in their last six and a terrible record against Leicester.