Brendan Rodgers’ Leicester City are four points off of league leaders Liverpool in the race for the Premier League title. The Reds have drawn back-to-back matches, but Leicester City’s two consecutive draws prevented them from taking advantage of Liverpool’s slip ups.
Now, the Foxes head to the northeast to face off with 14th-placed Newcastle United. Steve Bruce’s side are coming off of a confidence-building nil-nil draw with Liverpool in midweek.
Bruce set out his side to win the match, something he has been criticised for not doing against the Premier League’s top sides. Will he set out the team to take the game to Leicester City on Sunday?
Newcastle United are eight points above the relegation zone. They are not safe from the drop and need to keep gaining points to move away from the bottom three.
Leicester City thrashed Newcastle United last season home and away in the league. The Foxes won the matches by a combined 8-0. They went to St. James’ Park and left with a 3-0 win.
Bruce will be without key wide players Allan Saint-Maximin and Ryan Fraser. The former is recovering from a bout of coronavirus while the latter is nursing an injury. Isaac Hayden will miss the fixture due to suspension having received five yellow cards.
Rodgers’ injury issues are lessening. The only player currently ruled out is full-back Ricardo Pereira. Winger Cengiz Under, midfielder James Maddison, and centre-back Wesley Fofana will all undergo fitness tests prior to the fixture.
Newcastle United are unbeaten in three straight matches in the league. They took five points from nine possible during that stretch of matches. Still, they are –4 in goal difference at St. James’ Park.
Leicester City have the joint-best away points total in the Premier League. They are unbeaten in three straight fixtures claiming seven points from their last nine on the road. Leicester City have scored 18 goals while allowing eight to opponents on their travels.
Striker Jamie Vardy has scored 11 goals in 15 appearances for Leicester City. Leicester City have won each match in which Vardy has scored. Can the striker get a goal and lead the Foxes to a 10th league victory?
Leicester City should gain a win versus Newcastle United, but expect the game to be closer than the one played at St. James’ Park last term. The match should end with under 2.5 goals and a Leicester City win.