Verdict: Away win
Best Odds: 17/20
Bookmaker: bet365
Tottenham Hotspur have been one of the best teams in the Premier League this season. The Spurs have flourished under the guidance of Mauricio Pochettino, and they will visit Leicester City with the idea of finishing the campaign on a high note. The Foxes, however, want to prove that their title last year wasn’t a fluke, and they will look to end the season as high as they can.
Leicester City
It is not a secret that Leicester have not been nearly as good as they were last season. Fresh off a title-winning season in 2015-16, The Foxes reached the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals but flirted with a potential relegation through most of the campaign. As a result, Claudio Ranieri was sacked and Craig Shakespeare replaced him. The squad showed a major improvement with the arrival of Shakespeare winning eight of their 14 matches. But with only two wins in their last five Premier League games, they won’t strike fear in any opponent. At this point, they simply want to end the year on a positive note. Following this contest against Tottenham, the Foxes will host Bournemouth on the season finale Sunday. It is worth noting, though, that Leicester have been unstoppable at home under Shakespeare’s guidance with five wins in equal number of matches.
Team News
The Foxes will miss Nampalys Mendy, Molla Wague, and Daniel Drinkwater due to injury. All three players have been ruled out for the remainder of the campaign.
Andy King and Robert Huth are listed as doubtful, but neither is expected to feature in this contest. On the other hand, Wes Morgan has a hamstring injury and will require a late-fitness test to determine his availability.
Tottenham Hotspur
If Leicester’s season has been a disappointment, then Tottenham’s one has been extremely successful. Mauricio Pocchetino has assembled one of the best teams in Europe this season, and while that was not enough to win the Premier League title, there is every reason to think they will remain as serious contenders for the foreseeable future. With a Champions League berth under their belt, though, Tottenham does not have a lot to play since they already secured the second place in the standings. At this point, it is a matter of pride and finishing the season on a high note in their final two games: against Leicester, and Sunday versus an already relegated Hull City. Leicester will be a complicated opponent, though. The Spurs have not defeated them in the past three Premier League encounters.
Team News
The Spurs have Erik Lamela, Cameron Carter-Vickers, and Harry Winks sidelined for the entire season. Kieran Trippier and Kyle Walker have been ruled out as well.
There could be some good news ahead of this contest, however, as Danny Rose is reportedly back in training from his knee injury, but that is quite unlikely to happen considering Tottenham have nothing to play for.
Key Factors to Consider
- Craig Shakespeare has an 8W 2D 4L record since joining Leicester City in March this year.
- Leicester City have won all their five games at home since Shakespeare’s arrival.
- Tottenham has not defeated Leicester in their past three Premier League meetings between both clubs.
- Harry Kane ranks second in scoring in the Premier League with 22 goals in 28 matches. Meanwhile, Leicester’s top scorer is Jamie Vardy with 12.
- The Spurs have a 4-0-1 record in their past five EPL contests, while Leicester have a 2-1-2 register.
- Tottenham have only lost two of their last six away EPL games.
Conclusion
Even if we consider Leicester’s remarkable turnaround and their home record since the arrival of Shakespeare, that is not going to be enough to get a positive result. Tottenham have a deeper roster and even though they already secured a Champions League berth, a win would allow them to finish the season on a high note. Expect Pochettino’s men to take the three points away from home.
Verdict: Away win
Best Odds: 17/20
Bookmaker: bet365
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