Leicester City welcome Aston Villa to the King Power tonight as they seek to bounce back from two straight defeats in the Premier League. This is Villa’s first game since the League Cup final, which they lost to Manchester City. Here’s the Big Game Focus. Bet on the game here.
The Foxes made a flying start to the season and were considered title challengers in the first few months of the season. In fact, they were 10 points off Liverpool on Boxing Day but now, they are 32 points away from the runaway league leaders. Their decline has been swift and dramatic, with five losses in all competitions since in 2020. They have gone from being potential title challengers to hanging on for a Champions League spot. A win against relegation strugglers Aston Villa could be what they need to stop the rot.
After last weekend’s defeat in the League Cup final, Villa shift their attention to the Premier League. Dean Smith’s side dropped into the relegation zone since they were not in league action last weekend. They sit two points behind 17th-placed Watford, albeit with two games in hand. Villa have beaten the Foxes this season already. Can they do it again?
Betting preview
Aston Villa have the second worst away record in the Premier League this season. Out of the 14 games they have played away from Villa Park, they have won two, drawn two and lost ten. The hosts, on the other hand, have the fourth best home record. In the last seven meetings between these two, the Foxes have won three, while Dean Smith’s side have won twice. Villa have also lost their last four matches. Brendan Rodgers’ side have not been great since the turn of the year but their quality should show through against one of the league’s most porous defences. For that reason, you can back a Leicester City Win at odds of 1.45.
Leicester have only kept one clean sheet in their last seven Premier League matches. Nine of Aston Villa’s 14 Premier League away days this season have seen both teams score. Both teams have found the net in the last six meetings between these two sides. Therefore, you can back Both Teams to Score at odds of 1.65.
Four of Leicester’s last five home games in the league have seen three or more goals scored. Three of Villa’s last five in the league have seen Over 2.5 Goals scored. Four of the last six meetings between these teams have seen at least three goals scored. You can back Over 2.5 Goals in this game at odds of 1.50.
Team news
Leicester City are optimistic that Jamie Vardy will be available to return after a recent calf problem. However, left-back Ben Chilwell has been nursing a hamstring strain and will be assessed. Nampalys Mendy and Daniel Amartey remain out.
Aston Villa midfielder John McGinn will not feature on Monday but he is nearing a return to the first team. Goalkeeper Orjan Nyland impressed in the League Cup final and might be preferred to Pepe Reina at the King Power Stadium.
Possible line-ups
Leicester City: Schmeichel, Pereira, Soyuncu, Evans, Fuchs, Ndidi, Perez, Tielemans, Maddison, Barnes, Vardy.
Aston Villa: Reina, Engels, Hause, Mings, Guilbert, Nakamba, Douglas Luiz, Targett, El Ghazi, Samatta, Grealish.