SUPER SUNDAY sees Leicester host Newcastle from the King Power. Tom Love (@TomLove_18) shares his betting thoughts.
Leicester vs Newcastle | Sunday 12th December 2021, 16:30 | Sky Sports
- There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 9 of Leicester's last 11 league games.
- Leicester have conceded at least 2 goals in their last 5 home league matches.
- Leicester have seen over 2.5 goals in their last 4 matches against Newcastle in all competitions.
- Newcastle have failed to win their last 7 away league matches.
Leicester were dumped out of the Europa League on Thursday with defeat in Naples and it’s a swift turnaround after a decent amount of travelling as they host a Newcastle side on the back of an important first win of the season against Burnley.
The Foxes have also had a bout of covid cases in the camp which means the likes of Janik Vestergaard, Daniel Amartey, Kelechi Iheanacho and Ademola Lookman are absent. When you throw in the fact James Justin, Ricardo Periera and Wesley Fofana are still on the treatment table it’s far from a full strength home side.
Although Newcastle have been largely poor this season they should take some confidence from their first win of the campaign and a rare clean sheet. Eddie Howe has almost a clean bill of health and it would not be a surprise to see them get on the scoresheet against a Leicester side that are conceding more expected goals per game than the majority of the league.
You have to go back to the opening game of the season for the last clean sheet the Foxes’ have kept and that was a fortunate one against a shot shy Wolves outfit. Brendan Rodgers keeps ruing his sides’ inability to keep the goals out but he’s not changing tact to try sure things up and to be honest I can’t blame him with the attacking threats available in the squad.
It should make for an entertaining encounter at the King Power and the 19/20 on both teams to score and over 2.5 goals makes plenty of appeal in a game both will fancy their chances of scoring given the standard of defending on both sides.
One player who’s improved since Howe came into St James’ is Joelinton. He’s benefitting from the manager showing some faith in him and has scored already under his tutelage. The Brazilian has had 2 or more shots in 5 of 8 games where he’s played 90 minutes and he’s averaging 1.8 shots per 90.
Given Leicester and conceding the third most shots per game (15.7 per game) we should expect the Toon Army to get a few chances. He’s chalked up at a chunky 13/8 to register two or more shots with Bet365 and that just looks wrong. He’s as short as 4/9 in places.
Best Bets
Leicester vs Newcastle – Over 2.5 Goals and Both Teams To Score (19/20 Sport Nation)
Leicester vs Newcastle – Joelinton Over 1.5 Shots (13/8 (Bet365)
