Leicester v Liverpool – Preview, Predictions and Best Bets

Leicester host Liverpool at The King Power Stadium on Saturday in the English Premier League. Brendan Rodgers has his side three points clear of Liverpool and knows that a win would be a huge step in their quest for Champions League qualification. Liverpool are in dire form and look low on confidence but are seven matches unbeaten against Leicester. A defeat here could mean that their title is already on the verge of being relinquished.

Leicester Form

The Foxes are in mixed form. Since losing 2-0 at home to Everton in December, they have lost just one of their next 10 Premier League matches. However, that has included four frustrating draws including a 0-0 stalemate away at Wolves last time out. They have only one win in their last four after a 1-1 draw at Everton, a 3-1 home loss to Leeds and then a 2-0 win at Fulham prior to the Wolves match. That has coincided with Jamie Vardy’s absence from the starting XI.

In their last match, Leicester rested a few players but won 1-0 in the 94th minute to beat Brighton in the FA Cup. Kelechi Iheanacho scored the goal.

Leicester Team News

Leicester have some big injury doubts for this match. In defence, Wesley Fofana is ruled out but Caglar Soyuncu is a more than able replacement. Timothy Castagne is doubtful at fullback so Ricardo Pereira could get another opportunity to work his way back to full match fitness.

Dennis Praet is still absent in the attacking midfield or inside forward positions with a thigh injury. Wilfred Ndidi overcame an injury to start against Brighton in the FA Cup whilst Jamie Vardy also started that match (playing an hour) and is fully fit to lead the line against Liverpool.

Leicester Motivation

Brendan Rodgers has been very savvy with his tactics this season, being more pragmatic and willing to play defensively in order to win. Against Liverpool, he could let the visitors have a fair amount of the ball and then pray on their low confidence to win it back and use the searing pace of Ashley Barnes and Jamie Vardy on the counter attack.

In all likelihood, Rodgers will set up in a 4-2-3-1 with James Maddison as the number ten to lead counter attacks. Marc Albrighton could play on the right to track Andy Robertson. A draw would not be a terrible result but Leicester will play to win initially. The fact that they rested players in midweek in the FA Cup shows that this match is the priority.

Liverpool Form

Liverpool’s form is frankly awful right now. Whilst injuries have played a big part, many players have simply not found the same performance levels or consistency this season.

Klopp’s team have won two of their last nine league matches. After a five game winless run (including failing to score in four of those), Liverpool won 3-1 away at both Tottenham and West Ham.

Those results were meant to signal a resumption of normal service but Liverpool have lost their last two matches, both at Anfield. Brighton took a 1-0 victory in a game in which the Reds created very little before Man City won 4-1 at the home of the Champions.

Liverpool Team News

The Reds remain without five players due to medium to long term injuries. Virgil Van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip are all missing in defence for the rest of the season. Klopp will now surely hand a debut to Ozan Kabak alongside Fabinho in defence with Jordan Henderson back in midfield. Ben Davies will hope to make the matchday squad are being left out against Man City.

Sadio Mane was back for the Man City game and will start but Klopp could consider leaving Roberto Firmino out and using Mohamed Salah as a number nine. That would open space for Curtis Jones to start alongside Gini Wijnaldum, Jordan Henderson and Thiago Alcantara in midfield. Diego Jota and Naby Keita remain absent with injuries.

Liverpool Motivation

Liverpool’s hope for retaining the title have to be put to one side for now with a real fight on their hands to finish in the top four. Leicester are three points clear of Liverpool so a win would be a huge confidence booster. In the first meeting between these sides, Klopp’s team won 3-0 in imperious fashion and they will go all out to win this match.

With the greater space afforded to them away from Anfield, Liverpool tend to enjoy more attacking threat in transition. The lack of fans is being felt at home against teams playing a low block or arriving with no fear.

Key Stats

West Ham have won 4 PL matches in a row (6 unbeaten)

West Ham are 9 matches without a win against Liverpool

West Ham are 10 matches without a clean sheet against Liverpool

The Reds are have won 1 of their last 6 PL matches

Liverpool have failed to score in 4 of their last 6 PL matches

Liverpool have lost 2 of their last 16 PL matches (W7, D7)

Liverpool have won 3 of their last 10 away matches

The Reds have kept 2 clean sheets in their last 10 away matches

Prediction

This game could very well end in a draw but Liverpool win away at Spurs should boost confidence and a narrow win for Klopp’s team perhaps looks like the best bet.