Recent Form
Burnley have drawn four and lost five against top-half teams this season and in fact, they’ve only managed a single win at all as that came over 13th-placed Brentford. Going back into last season they’re W1-D8-L11 in the top flight now, while even on home turf they’re a dismal W1-D9-L7 since the start of February – including six defeats from 11 since April.
They have fared slightly better in recent weeks at Turf Moor as they’re unbeaten in four, drawing games with Norwich, Crystal Palace and West Ham, while achieving that victory over Brentford.
However, it’s hardly an inspiring run and they’ll now have to make do without Chris Wood after the striker was pinched by Newcastle this week. Sean Dyche has limited options going forwards with Ashley Barnes out injured, while Matej Vydra, Dwight McNeil and Maxwel Cornet are amongst those rated doubtful to feature.
Whereas Burnley’s slide isn’t a complete shock given the lack of investment in renewing the squad over the years, Leicester had higher ambitions this season, though it’s fair to say they haven’t lived up to them.
They finished third in their Europa League group behind Spartak Moscow and Napoli, and are down in 10th place domestically, but injuries have certainly played their part in hampering progress.
The list of absentees remains extensive. In defence, centre-backs Wesley Fofana and Jonny Evans are unavailable, as are full-backs Ryan Bertrand, Luke Thomas, James Justin and Ricardo Pereira. while Daniel Amartey and Wilfried Ndidi are both away at the Africa Cup of Nations.
With that in mind, Caglar Soyuncu and Jannik Vestergaard will form the central partnership, Timothy Castagne should be fit to start at left-back, while winger Marc Albrighton may have to put in a shift on the opposite flank.
Over 2.5 Goals
Further forwards, Kelechi Iheanacho is also in Cameroon this month, Jamie Vardy is injured and Patson Daka is also a doubt. Attacking midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall is another whose participation in question, but the Foxes haven’t had too many problems registering goals, while the presence of Harvey Barnes, Ayoze Perez, Ademola Lookman and James Maddison should ensure they can still find the net.
Indeed, in spite of their problems, Leicester have scored at least twice in eight of their last 10 appearances in all competitions, as well as netting a minimum of three goals in four of the last five, including a four-goal hail against Watford last time out.
Brendan Rodgers can point to a slight uptick in form over recent weeks. Their last five outings have seen them take wins over Newcastle, Liverpool and Watford at the King Power, suffer a 6-3 defeat on the road to Man City, as well as pushing Liverpool all the way to penalties at Anfield in the League Cup.
Leicester Draw No Bet
There’s been goals galore in the Foxes’ matches with at least four in eight of their last 10. It’s hard to see them shutting out too many teams with just two clean sheets across their past 21 matches, especially given the continued absence of chunks of their squad.
Both teams have scored in each of the last six head-to-heads, with all but one of these games featuring a minimum of three goals.
However, Burnley’s dismal record of late would suggest that the Foxes should be favourites to claim victory and have shown themselves capable of scoring goals despite the absentees.
PREDICTIONS:
OVER 2.5 GOALS
LEICESTER DRAW NO BET
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