Prediction: Leicester City vs Huddersfield

Verdict: Leicester City to win – yes

Best Odds: 3/5

Bookmaker: 888sport

King Power Stadium will host a middle-of-the-table clash this Monday, January 1, 2018. Leicester City will open the new year at home hosting Huddersfield, in a tight game where both clubs need a win to improve their position in the standings. The game starts at 15:00 BST, and Graham Scott will be the referee.

Leicester City

The Foxes have been playing quite well of late, but the results just have not been there in recent weeks. Claude Puel’s men are currently riding a four-game winless streak in the Premier League, although to be fair two of their last three games were against top opponents such as Liverpool and Manchester United. The recent run also includes losses against lowly sides such as Watford and Crystal Palace, so there is no question the team needs to improve soon if they want to keep their European dreams alive. Riyad Mahrez (six goals, seven assists) and Jamie Vardy (nine goals, one assist) have been playing well on the attacking end, but most of the team’s struggles have lied on the defensive end. Leicester have already allowed 32 goals in just 21 matches, and that pace is not sustainable if they want to maintain themselves in the upper part of the standings.

Team News

The Foxes will have two absences on the defensive end of the pitch ahead of this game.

Robert Huth (ankle) and Danny Simpson (thigh) have both been ruled out. However, the rest of the team is fit and available for Puel’s selection.

Huddersfield

Leicester have not looked good in recent weeks, but it is hard to say Huddersfield have been any better. The recently-promoted side is currently riding a three-game winless run thanks to three consecutive stalemates against Southampton, Stoke City and Burnley, and have just one win in their last five league matches. To make things more complicated, Huddersfield have struggled on both ends of the pitch since they rank in the bottom three on goals scored (only 18 in 21 games), while having allowed a whopping 32 goals over the same span. That is not a successful combination, and the numbers back that up since The Terriers are 11th in the standings with 24 points. They are in what we could call a “safety zone” when it comes to relegation, but they need to start winning soon to avoid a further drop in the table.

Team News

Huddersfield will be considerably weakened ahead of this contest, as they won’t have at least four players available for this one.

Philip Billing (ankle), Michael Hefele (calf), Elias Kachunga and Jon Stankovic (both knee) have been ruled out of the contest.

Key Factors to Consider

• Both teams are riding winless streaks. Leicester have not won in their past four EPL games, while Huddersfield have three consecutive draws.
• Leicester and Huddersfield have two of the worst defences in the Premier League, as both have allowed 32 goals in just 21 matches.
• Huddersfield’s struggles have also come on the attacking end. Their total of 18 goals scored ranks in the bottom three of the Premier League.
• These two sides already met earlier this season, and that game ended with a 1-1 draw. Laurent Depoitre scored for Huddersfield, and Jamie Vardy netted for The Foxes.
• Leicester have a W4 D2 L4 record at home, and have not won in each of their last two contests at King Power Stadium.
• Huddersfield have struggled badly on the road. They register a W2 D2 L6 mark, good for just eight points.

Conclusion

Both sides are fairly even, and both have had their fair share of struggles during the current term. However, Leicester have been playing quite well of late, even if the results do not back that up. And Huddersfield’s attacking woes have been too much to overcome.

Expect the hosts to secure the three points in this one.

Verdict: Leicester City to win – yes

Best Odds: 3/5

Bookmaker: 888sport