Prediction: Leicester City vs Sevilla



Verdict: Away win

Best Odds: 6/5

Bookmaker: bet365

Having improved their survival hopes thanks to back to back Premier League wins, Leicester City can now fully focus on the Champions League clash against Sevilla and attempt to overturn a one-goal deficit from the first leg. Los Rojiblancos, on the other hand, seriously damaged their La Liga title hopes, but they remain in a good position to reach the Champions League quarter-finals.

Leicester City

It would be a real shame to see Leicester City get relegated from the Premier League immediately upon achieving the historic success, and even though the Foxes have shown improvement of late, they are still not in the clear. Back to back wins over Liverpool and Hull City that followed a five-match losing run could suggest that the players indeed wanted Claudio Ranieri out, even though his successor Craig Shakespeare has got to take some credit for the resurgence as well. The 53-year-old has since been given the job until the end of the season and his first task in the new role is to try and mastermind a victory over very good Sevilla side. This is probably a good time to be facing los Rojiblancos, who are on a downtrend, unlike the Foxes, and everybody at King Power Stadium will be hoping that Jamie Vardy’s goal in the first leg will have proved crucial for the final result. The new manager did not change much, apart from restoring Shinji Okazaki to the starting line-up, but he did help the team restore some of the lost confidence, which should increase their chances of upsetting Sevilla on Tuesday night. 

Team News

Manager Craig Shakespeare has no fresh selection worries, with French defender Molla Wague the only player unavailable for selection. 



Sevilla

While they had reached serious heights under Unai Emery, it would appear as though Sevilla are doing even better under Jorge Sampaoli, arguably one of the most sought-after coaches at the moment and one of the favourites to replace Luis Enrique as the new Barcelona boss. The Chilean has taken los Rojiblancos to the verge of the Champions League last 8, while team’s performances in La Liga have also been top notch. If it hadn’t been for back to back draws against Deportivo Alaves and Leganes, Sevilla would now be sitting just one point behind leaders Real Madrid, but the team paid the price for focusing in the Champions League clash against Leicester. That was the reason why Sampaoli had decided to rest most key men in the Leganes game, and they eventually had to settle for a share of spoils that saw them remain in third position. This, however, goes to show that los Rojiblancos are very motivated to make it to the Champions League quarter-finals, and their recent good showings on the road give the team confidence heading into the King Power Stadium clash. Namely, Sevilla have yet to concede away from home in this year’s competition, while they have five wins in last seven away games in La Liga. 

Team News

The rotation policy is set to continue as Wissam Ben Yedder, Steven N’Zonzi, Iborra and Luciano Vietto could all be recalled to the side.

Key Factors to Consider

• Sevilla won five of last seven away games (D1 L1)
• Los Rojiblancos have yet to concede on the road in this year’s UCL
• Leicester City won both matches under Craig Shakespeare
• Both teams scored in four of Sevilla’s last five matches
• Leicester’s last three games produced 11 goals

Conclusion

Buoyed by back to back wins over Liverpool and Hull City, Leicester City will fancy their chances of defeating Sevilla, but that is easier said than done. Los Rojiblancos have plenty of European experience and having shown plenty of improvement on the road, we are backing them to win at King Power.

Verdict: Away win

Best Odds: 6/5

Bookmaker: bet365