WOLVES welcome Leicester in Sunday's Premier League encounter. Rob Mason (@Sturdys29) delivers his betting analysis.
Wolves vs Leicester | Sunday 7th February 2021, 14:00 | Sky Sports
The two highest ranked Midlands club in the country (according to the football league ladder) lock horns on Sunday at Molineux.
It has been a tough time of late for Nuno Espírito Santo's men. Wolves picked up a win against Arsenal, which was the first time they had collected 3 points since mid-December. The loss of Raul Jimenez has coincided with the lack of results and it will be interesting to see if new January signing, Willian Jose, can pick up the goal scoring baton from his Mexican counterpart.
Nuno admitted after the game against Arsenal that his team were under pressure in the first half and that the red card for David Luiz, which led to a penalty, ultimately changed the game. It is hard to argue that the result could have been much different without that match defining moment.
Leicester go from strength-to-strength this season having missed out on Champions League football on the final day of the previous campaign. The Foxes sit 3rd in the table and with the financial backing at his disposal and the teams he is up against, Brendan Rodgers continues to do a cracking job.
The Foxes have won 8 of their 11 away fixtures this season and picked up 3 points away to Fulham midweek on their latest travels. A key positive for Leicester is the expected return of Talisman Jamie Vardy and midfielder Wilfred Ndidi. Both are key players for the Foxes and Rodgers will hope he has both involved, if not from the start then coming on from the bench.
The betting angles
My first play for the game comes from the outright markets and Leicester at 6/5 looks a big price to me.
It is hard to gauge before hearing the team news how strong Leicester will be, but I can’t not get Leicester on side when you consider their away form this season, (the Foxes are top for Expected Points (xP) in the league away from home) and the lack of results that Wolves have had recently make the odds against price stand out.
In the shots market I am keen to back promising left back James Justin to have a shot at 6/4 with Poker stars. The Englishman has had at least one shot in his last 4 matches, and I feel the game situation suits this bet.
Nelson Semedo likes to push on for Wolves and I feel the full back will have space to take advantage of getting a shot away and Justin should be full of confidence after scoring against Fulham last time out.
My final angle comes in the half with most goals market where I am backing the 2nd half to be the highest scoring half.
Leicester average 1.45 goals per game away from home in the second half and only 0.64 in the first this season. Wolves at home have averaged 0.73 goals per game in the second half when playing at home against 0.55 in the first.
The stats align to an exciting second half and another odds against price at Bet 365 or Sky Bet at 11/10 takes appeal.
Best Bets
Wolves vs Leicester – Leicester to win (6/5 William Hill)
Wolves vs Leicester – James Justin to have 1+ shot (6/4 Poker Stars)
Wolves vs Leicester – Half With Most Goals: Second-Half (11/10 Bet365)
