Prediction: Both teams to score
Leicester City will hope to continue their positive recent form since the arrival of Claude Puel as they welcome the Premier League’s surprise package Burnley to the King Power Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The Clarets (the nickname for Burnley) meanwhile will aim to maintain their lofty position in the league table.
Leicester City
The former Premier League champions head into the clash with the Lancashire outfit in a buoyant mood. Puel’s men dismissed of Tottenham Hotspur in impressive fashion with a 2-1 victory on Tuesday night and now sit comfortably in ninth in the table. The East-Midlanders have now only lost one out of their previous nine games in all competitions, the only loss coming in the form of a 2-0 defeat to Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City. The victory against Spurs gives the Foxes the chances to notch consecutive home league wins for the first time this season.
The team will have to improve their defending though if they are to earn a result against Sean Dyche’s men. Leicester have conceded 20 goals in only 14 games during the 2017/18 campaign and have only managed to keep three clean sheets in that time. As a result, they have only toiled to a somewhat disappointing four victories in league play since the start of the season. Their goal-scoring form has been comparatively healthier though, having netted nine strikes in their last six games with as many different players getting on the score-sheet.
Team News
Claude Puel is able to welcome back Christian Fuchs to the line-up after his exclusion during Tuesday night’s game due to paternity leave. Striker Kelechi Iheanacho could also return to action after he recovered from injury. Long-term absentees Matty James and Robert Huth both remain out.
Burnley
Sean Dyche’s men have arguably defied most critics so far during the 2017/18 campaign. Having lost Andre Gray and Michael Keane during the summer transfer window, the Clarets were one of the favourites for the drop but have performed exceptionally so far. Currently occupying sixth position, they have already amassed a tremendous 25 points. They have only lost three games so far this season to Arsenal, Manchester City and West Bromwich Albion. As a matter of fact, they have taken maximum points in four out of their last five clashes in the Premier League. They do now though have the opportunity to earn consecutive away victories in the top flight since May 2015.
Their defensive record gives them even more reason to be optimistic having only conceded 11 goals in 14 games. In fact, they have only let in two goals within their last five clashes, highlighting further the excellent job that Dyche is doing at Turf Moor. They do however need to improve on their goal-scoring form if they are to leave the King Power Stadium with three points. They have only netted 14 goals in as many games – only worsened by Brighton and Hove Albion in the top-half. Former Leicester City striker Chris Wood has scored almost a third of the team’s Premier League strikes this term.
Team News
Defender Matthew Lowton could return to action after he recovered from a knee injury. However, the likes of Jonathan Walters, Tom Heaton and Stephen Defour remain unavailable for the Clarets. Dean Marney can still not be called upon due to fitness issues.
Key Facts To Consider
-Burnley have only won one out of their last 11 games against Leicester City
-The Clarets have the better record between the two (W44, D30, L34)
-Leicester City won the last clash between the two at the King Power Stadium 3-0
-Burnley have not won back-to-back games away from home in the Premier League since May 2015
-The Foxes have not lost consecutive games against Burnley since 2006
Conclusion
Despite Burnley being one of the form teams in the top-flight of English football, Claude Puel’s Foxes will certainly be no pushovers. The attacking duo of Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez will provide formidable opponents for the Clarets and the hosts could be a good bet to find the net on Saturday afternoon.
Although, the Midlanders will need to keep a close eye on ex-forward Chris Wood who has adjusted to Premier League life extremely well since his summer move from Leeds United. The Clarets will be tough to keep out at the weekend as both sides potentially battle to a high-scoring draw.
Prediction: Both teams to score
